Boko Haram’s Bakoura Doro Faction Inflicts Devastating Blow on ISWAP, Killing Over 170 Militants in Bloody Lake Chad Clash

In the latest and one of the most brutal rounds of internecine fighting between rival extremist groups around the Lake Chad axis, the Bakoura Doro faction of Boko Haram has dealt a crushing defeat to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), resulting in massive casualties and the seizure of critical resources. This intense violence highlights the fierce struggle for dominance and control over lucrative territories in the region.

Dependable NG reports that the battle occurred when fighters loyal to Bakoura Doro successfully ambushed an ISWAP convoy traveling on the water, a key transit route within the Lake Chad region. According to security sources in the area who spoke to Zagazola Makama, the ambush was devastating, resulting in the killing of hundreds of ISWAP militants and the immediate seizure of several boats heavily loaded with vital weapons and supplies. The reports indicate that only three of ISWAP’s boats managed to escape the fierce encounter.

The casualty figures from the fierce clash are staggering, with approximately 170 ISWAP members confirmed dead. In stark contrast, the victorious Boko Haram faction reportedly lost only four fighters, underscoring the success and ferocity of their ambush tactics. In addition to the massive human toll on the ISWAP side, the Boko Haram fighters also captured seven boats and a large cache of arms and ammunition, significantly degrading ISWAP’s operational capacity and boosting their own resources.

This confrontation marks one of the bloodiest encounters between the rival extremist groups in recent months. The fighting between the two factions—Boko Haram (under the Bakoura Doro leadership) and the Islamic State-affiliated ISWAP—is primarily driven by a continuous battle for control over lucrative fishing routes, strategic islands, and crucial smuggling corridors across the vast Lake Chad area. Security observers are closely monitoring the area and fear that ISWAP, smarting from this heavy loss, may launch a major retaliatory strike in the coming days to reclaim its lost ground, potentially leading to further large-scale violence in the volatile region.