ISIS troops are battle-ready, just days after intelligence disrupted an attempt by the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) to smuggle military uniforms into Nigeria.
ISWAP is expected to target Baga, Malam Fatori, and Marte towns in Borno State soon, according to Eons Intelligence.
Tori Media gathered that more than 200 ISIS mercenaries from Libya and Syria are currently stationed in the Sabon Tumbu axis to support them.
Their arrival coincided with Sani Shuwaram’s appointment as the new ISWAP leader (Wali). Malam Bako is succeeded by him.
After the death of Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, Bako was slain while functioning as the sect’s leader.
Al-Barnawi, son of the late Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf, was eliminated during a battle with security forces.
The ISIS fighters now within the Nigerian territory observed Jummat prayers on Friday at Sabon Tumbu in the Lake Chad region.
The planned assault in and around Borno border villages seeks to consolidate ISWAP’s grip in the zone.
It is already established that ISIS, through ISWAP, desires to take over towns and enforce Islamic rule in spite of ongoing military campaigns against their activities.
ISWAP currently dominates Lake Chad after hundreds of Boko Haram members defected following the death of JAS leader, Abubakar Shekau in May.
As part of counter-terrorism efforts, the Buhari administration has approved extra assets to boost North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK).