No fewer than 10 fighters of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) have been killed following a violent clash with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State, security sources have said.
The incident reportedly took place at Dabar Ledda, a remote settlement within the Doron Naira axis of Kukawa Local Government Area. The area lies close to Lake Chad, a region that has seen years of attacks, displacement of civilians, and military operations against armed groups.
According to security sources, ISWAP fighters launched a surprise attack on a JAS checkpoint, locally known as an “Irasa.” The attackers were said to have stormed the position in the early hours, catching JAS fighters off guard. After a brief but intense exchange of gunfire, the ISWAP fighters overran the checkpoint, killing at least 10 JAS members.
Sources said several weapons and other items were taken from the scene, while surviving JAS fighters fled into nearby bushes. As of the time of filing this report, there were no confirmed reports of civilian casualties from the clash. However, residents in surrounding communities were said to have fled their homes out of fear of further violence.
The clash is the latest in a long-running rivalry between ISWAP and JAS, two armed groups that emerged from the original Boko Haram insurgency. Though both groups share a violent history, they have been fighting each other for years over leadership, ideology, and control of territory.
Boko Haram began its violent campaign in 2009, mainly in Borno State, before spreading to other parts of the North-East. Over time, internal disagreements led to a split within the group. One faction became known as JAS, which follows the hardline methods of the group’s former leader, Abubakar Shekau. The other faction, ISWAP, pledged loyalty to the Islamic State and adopted a different approach, including attempts to win local support in some areas.
Since the split, the two groups have clashed repeatedly, often with deadly consequences. These clashes are usually driven by the struggle to control key routes, communities, and resources. In recent years, the fight for dominance around Lake Chad and the Sambisa Forest has intensified.
Lake Chad is a strategic area because it provides water, food, and hiding places. The vast terrain, which cuts across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, makes it difficult for security forces to monitor. Armed groups use the area to move fighters, hide weapons, and launch attacks. Control of routes around the lake also allows groups to tax fishermen, farmers, and traders.
The Sambisa Forest, on the other hand, has long served as a stronghold for armed groups. Though the Nigerian military has carried out several operations to clear the forest, parts of it remain difficult to access. Both ISWAP and JAS see control of Sambisa as key to their survival and influence.
Security sources said the latest clash in Kukawa LGA shows that the rivalry between the two groups remains strong, even as military pressure continues. They noted that while the groups fight each other, their presence still poses a serious threat to peace and security in the region.
Residents of Kukawa and nearby areas have suffered greatly from years of conflict. Many communities have been displaced, with thousands of people living in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Farming and fishing, which are the main sources of livelihood in the area, have been disrupted by insecurity.
Local leaders have often called on the government to do more to protect rural communities and support displaced families. They have also urged the military to sustain operations to prevent armed groups from regrouping.
The Nigerian military, along with regional forces under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), has recorded some successes against armed groups in the North-East. Several fighters have been killed, arrested, or forced to surrender. However, attacks and clashes like the one in Dabar Ledda show that the conflict is far from over.
As authorities continue efforts to restore peace to Borno State, residents remain hopeful but cautious. For many, the latest clash is a reminder that lasting security will require not only military action but also rebuilding communities, supporting victims, and addressing the root causes of the conflict.