Three senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, and more than 22 fighters have reportedly died following a clash in the Mandaragirau axis of Borno State.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the commanders were identified as Abu Khalid, Abul Baraa and Munzir.
Abu Khalid and Abul Baraa were reportedly senior field commanders known as Qa’ids, while Munzir was also identified as a commander within the group.
Makama said the three were among four senior commanders who led the ISWAP attack in the Mandaragirau area.
More than 22 other fighters were also reportedly killed during the encounter, while three commanders at the Naqib level and between 15 and 20 fighters remain unaccounted for.
“The intelligence further indicated that three other commanders at the Naqib level and between 15 and 20 fighters remain unaccounted for following the clash,” Zagazola Makama reported.
He said some of the missing fighters may have fled into surrounding communities to evade pursuing forces.
Recent ISWAP movements around Mandaragirau have also been reported as the group attempts to locate and recover its missing members.
According to Makama, the loss of the commanders could affect ISWAP’s operations in the area, although surviving fighters are still considered capable of regrouping or attempting retaliatory attacks.
Security agencies are continuing to monitor the area for further movements by surviving ISWAP fighters.
ISWAP suffers major blow as 3 commanders, 22 fighters reportedly dead in Borno