Terrorist turf war battle in north-eastern Nigeria leaves about 200 dead

"As many as 200 terrorists were killed in a turf war on Sunday between rival jihadists in north-east Nigeria. The fighting between Boko Haram and rival militants from Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap) broke out over the weekend in the village of Dogon Chiku, which lies on the shores of Lake Chad, a restive area located at the junction of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. The lake's riverine corridors serve as operational zones for jihadists who also bank on revenues from taxing fishers, loggers and herders."

"From the toll we got, around 200 Iswap terrorists were killed in the fight, Babakura Kolo, a member of a vigilante group that works with the Nigerian military, told Agence France-Presse. We are aware of the fighting which is good news to us, AFP also quoted a Nigerian intelligence source as saying. The source added that the casualty total was more than 150."

"Iswap began as a splinter group from Boko Haram that allied with IS. Since the split in 2016, both factions have fought repeatedly, primarily in the Lake Chad basin area. Other groups have since split from Boko Haram, drifting to other parts of northern Nigeria. The lake has lost more than 90% of its surface area since the 1960s, according to the UN Environment Programme. As the water recedes, new land routes across the territory open up."

Around 200 fighters from ISWAP were reportedly killed during a clash with Boko Haram in Dogon Chiku on Lake Chad's shores. The confrontation occurred over the weekend and involved riverine corridors that jihadists use for operations and revenue through taxation of local fishers, loggers and herders. Reports indicate ISWAP suffered heavier personnel losses and lost several boats seized by Boko Haram. Local vigilantes working with the Nigerian military and an intelligence source gave casualty figures ranging from more than 150 to about 200. The two factions have fought repeatedly since ISWAP split from Boko Haram in 2016, contesting territory as Lake Chad recedes and new routes open.

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