Rival Jihadist clashes claim 200 lives in Lake Chad region

Rival Jihadist clashes claim 200 lives in Lake Chad region

By Johnson Arua

Clashes between rival jihadist factions in northeast Nigeria have reportedly left about 200 militants dead in the restive Lake Chad area, security and local sources confirmed on Monday.

Fierce fighting erupted on Sunday in Dogon Chiku, near the shores of Lake Chad, between Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in what has been described as one of the deadliest confrontations between the groups in recent years. The confrontation is believed to have been driven by ongoing ideological differences and battles for territorial dominance.

Babakura Kolo, a member of a civilian anti-jihadist militia supporting military operations, told AFP that “around 200 ISWAP terrorists were killed in the fight.”

A former Boko Haram fighter, now disengaged from violence but still monitoring activities in the region, corroborated the casualty figures, adding that several weapons were seized from ISWAP combatants. He revealed that Boko Haram lost four fighters in the encounter. The ex-militant, identified only as Saddiku, described the clash as possibly “the worst” since the factions began targeting each other.

An intelligence officer operating in the area also placed the ISWAP casualty toll at “more than 150,” noting that authorities were tracking the aftermath of the violence. “We are aware of the fighting, which is good news to us,” the source said.

Since their split in 2016 over ideological disputes, Boko Haram and ISWAP have been locked in a brutal struggle for control of strategic territories around the Lake Chad basin, frequently resulting in deadly skirmishes and civilian displacement.

The Lake Chad region remains a volatile flashpoint in Nigeria’s 15-year insurgency, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions.