ISWAP commander, Abou Maryam, other fighters killed in military airstrikes

In an airstrike coordinated along the fringes of Lake Chad in Borno State, the Nigerian military killed an ISWAP Commander, Modu Kime, also known as Abou Maryam, and his fighters.

According to PRNigeria, the top ISWAP commander was killed in airstrikes on the river banks of Bisko and Tumbum Tawaye in the Abadam Local Government Area.

After intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions revealed the terror kingpin’s location, the operation was carried out.

According to reports from the ground, scores of terrorists and the commander were killed as a result of the air interdiction.

Abou Maryam, with the phone number +22788036182, had been on intelligence services’ radar, according to an intelligence officer.

“We had been intercepting his communication and coordination of attacks by his terror group, mostly in Borno State, for some time.”

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“He had been active in the Tumbum Tawaye, Bisko, Garere, Arkumma, Dumbawa, Zari, and Gundumbali LGAs.

“Abou Maryam orchestrated attacks on military forces and soft targets primarily in the Damasak, Nganzai, and Gajiram areas, as well as on the outskirts of Maiduguri.”

ISWAP, which broke away from the mainstream Boko Haram in 2016, has grown into a powerful organization that focuses on military targets and high-profile attacks, including those against aid workers.

JAS has been consolidating its grip in areas around Lake Chad since the death of its leader, Abubakar Shekau.

Wali Sani Shuwaram, 45, was recently appointed as the new Leader (Wali) of ISWAP in Lake Chad.

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Hundreds of Boko Haram fighters have defected to Shekau, increasing the sect’s membership.

The Nigerian army has repeatedly claimed that the insurgency has been largely defeated, and any losses are frequently downplayed.

Soldiers have been targeted by insurgents who have set up ambushes in their path in recent months.

Since January 2021, a large number of soldiers and officers have reportedly been killed.