Abu Musab al-Barnawi was the leader of the Islamic State of West Africa (Iswap) – The organization has not confirmed the news
The leader of the jihadist Nigerian organization Iswap, who had declared allegiance to the Islamic State , is dead, General Lucky Irabor, the chief of the Nigerian army’s general staff, announced today .
The Islamic State of West Africa (Iswap) has not confirmed the death of Abu Musab al-Barnawi .
“I can confirm with certainty that Barnawi is dead,” General Irabbor told reporters. He did not specify the circumstances under which the jihadist leader died, whose death has been announced at other times in the recent past.
Iswap, recognized by the Islamic State as a collaborating organization, came from the split in 2016 of Boko Haram, the other major extremist organization operating in Nigeria. Blaming Boko Haram for executing Muslim civilians and boosting its forces, Iswap became Nigeria’s dominant jihadist organization, multiplying its attacks on the country’s army.
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Sekau was killed a few months ago in clashes between the two groups. Following Sekau ‘s death, Abu Musab al-Barnawi consolidated control of northeastern Nigeria and Lake Chadwhere, however, the clashes with fighters loyal to Boko Haram continue.
Since Boko Haram began operations in northeastern Nigeria in 2009, some 36,000 people have been killed and more than 2 million displaced.
