A senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified as Abu Hassan, has reportedly been killed during a failed attack on Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The development was disclosed by security analyst Zagazola Makama, who cited intelligence sources in a post shared on X on Sunday.
According to the report, Abu Hassan, described as one of ISWAP’s Qaids operating from the Tumbunma axis, was among the commanders who led the assault on Cross Kauwa but was killed during the confrontation with security forces.
The report also stated that an unidentified foreign fighter believed to be of Arab origin was killed during the operation.
Another senior ISWAP commander, Aliyi Zabarmari, who reportedly led fighters from the Tumbunma enclave, was said to have sustained a gunshot wound that left him with a fractured thigh.
Intelligence sources further disclosed that another unidentified Arab fighter remains missing following the failed attack.
According to the sources, the losses represent a significant setback for the terrorist group, as those affected were key field commanders responsible for coordinating operations across the Lake Chad region.
The reported development comes amid intensified military operations against insurgent groups in the North-East, with security forces continuing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating within the Lake Chad Basin.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military had not issued an official statement confirming the reported deaths of the ISWAP commanders.
