A fresh clash between rival terrorist groups, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, JAS, and the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has reportedly left dozens of fighters dead in parts of the Lake Chad Islands, raising renewed security concerns across Nigeria’s North-East.

The development was reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the report, the fighting erupted around Mangari and Tumbun Allura after both factions engaged in a fierce battle over control of strategic locations within the Lake Chad basin.

Makama reported that JAS fighters gained the upper hand during the confrontation, allegedly killing dozens of ISWAP fighters before seizing two boats belonging to the rival group and retreating to their stronghold at Kurnawa.

The report noted that the boats are considered critical assets because they are used to transport fighters, weapons, food supplies and other logistics across the Lake Chad waterways.

“The reported seizure of the boats is considered significant, as watercraft remain a critical means of transportation for fighters, weapons, food supplies and other logistics across the difficult terrain of the Lake Chad waterways,” the report stated.

According to intelligence sources quoted in the report, troops deployed in Mallam Fatori, Baga, Cross Kauwa, Kukawa and other communities around the Lake Chad axis have been placed on heightened alert amid fears that fleeing ISWAP fighters could disperse into nearby areas.

Makama added that security assessments warned the confrontation could increase the risk of isolated attacks, improvised explosive device, IED, ambushes and retaliatory assaults as surviving fighters attempt to regroup.

The report further stated that military authorities are considering intensified offensive operations, including increased patrols and enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities, to prevent fleeing insurgents from reorganising.

Troops of 65 Battalion under the leadership of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel S Adeojo, have dismantled a suspected illegal bunkering site in the Orile area of Lagos.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lt-Col Musa Yahaya.

Yahaya said while acting on credible intelligence, the troops raided the site and arrested six suspected oil bunkerers.

According to him, the operation also led to the recovery of four trucks, one pumping machine, and assorted pipes and drums allegedly used for illegal bunkering activities.

He added that the suspects and recovered items have been handed over to the officers and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Lagos State Command for further necessary action.

“The General Officer Commanding 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola, commended the troops for the successful operation and charged them to sustain the offensive against economic sabotage and other criminal activities within the 81 Division area of responsibility,” the statement said.

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested two suspected collaborators of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, during an intelligence-led operation in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.

The arrests were disclosed by counter-insurgency and security analyst Zagazola Makama in a post on X.

According to intelligence sources cited by Makama, troops of the 109 Special Forces Battalion, in collaboration with Hybrid Forces, carried out the operation at about 5:08 a.m. on July 28 following credible intelligence from the Hybrid Forces Headquarters in Maiduguri.

The operation led to the arrest of Modu Collu, 20, and Bashir Goni Tijani, 47, both residents of Magumeri town.

The sources said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects admitted to collaborating with Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters operating in the area.

Troops also recovered a Tecno mobile phone belonging to one of the suspects, Modu Collu, during the operation. The device has been taken into custody for further analysis.

Military sources said the suspects and the recovered exhibit are being processed and will be handed over to the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC) for further investigation and necessary action.

The arrests are part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations under Operation DESERT SANITY V aimed at dismantling terrorist support networks, disrupting logistics and denying insurgents access to local collaborators across the North-East.

Military authorities said the security situation across the theatre remains relatively calm but unpredictable, adding that troops have maintained a high level of morale and operational readiness.