Lake Chad Basin Weekly Security Update 15-21 January 2024
Hello and welcome to the thirty-seventh edition of the Lake Chad Basin Weekly Security Update.
This week, ISWAP was undoubtedly on the defensive, trying to stop the military operations launched by the Nigerian Army. Even despite that, the group managed to score some major hits, like the battle in Kirenawa, in which it killed three soldiers and captured a sizeable arsenal of equipment and weapons. In addition to this, it deployed a relatively high number of IEDs in both Alagarno and Sambisa Forests.
In the context of these operations, it was strange to not only see no claims of suicide car bombs (SVBIEDs), but also an almost complete lack of reports coming from the military side. In fact, except for one large report from a source claiming to be fully independent (but clearly receiving direct info from the military), there was no official reporting coming from the Army regarding the entire offensive. It was also impossible to find reports in the media that did not originate from that one source. The whole situation is perplexing, and having to rely on just two sources, one having problems with basic spelling in some cases, and the other being literally terrorists, does not make for a good reporting from my side either (although I am still trying with all that I have).
Personal grievances aside, it is difficult to think this might have been the whole Sambisa-Alagarno offensive for the year. Neither side claimed to have inflicted many casualties, and ISWAP did not deploy any suicide bombers (as mentioned above), contrary to all previous offensives. It seems possible that the militants hid enough of their military capabilities (heavy weapons, vehicles, etc.) to be able to deploy them in the coming weeks and months. With the scarce reporting, however, it is impossible to verify that.
NIGERIA
7-16 January
Alagarno and Sambisa Forests (Kaga/Damboa and Bama/Gwoza LGAs, respectively, all in Borno State) - The Nigerian Army conducted Operation Desert Security III, aimed at destroying ISWAP strongholds. According to the source, over 25 camps were cleared out and destroyed and many fighters were killed. The whole article is very long and names many separate villages and settlements, many of which are impossible to identify on a map based on open-source information. It is much better if each one you read it by yourself. Source: Zagazola
11 January
Nduva (Damboa LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP targeted a Nigerian Army patrol with an IED, claiming (on 15 January) to have damaged an armored vehicle.
ISWAP’s claim for the Nduva IED attack.
12 January
Near Alagarno Forest (Damboa LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP targeted a Nigerian Army patrol, claiming (on 15 January) to have killed and wounded an unspecified number of soldiers.
ISWAP’s claim for the 12 January Alagarno Forest IED attack.
14 January
Nduva (Damboa LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP targeted a Nigerian Army position with two mortar shells. The group claimed responsibility the next day, without specifying whether they had reached their target or caused any casualties.
ISWAP’s claim for the Nduva mortar shelling.
15 January
Aumma (Damboa LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP targeted a Nigerian Army ‘gathering’ with a 40mm grenade launcher and five mortar shells. Claiming responsibility the next day, the group made no comments on whether the projectiles had caused any casualties or even reached their target.
ISWAP’s claim for the Aumma shelling.
16 January
Near Mafa (Mafa LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP targeted a patrol of the Nigerian Army and the CJTF with an IED, claiming (the next day) to have killed seven soldiers/vigilantes and wounded others.
This incident was confirmed, with two killed and eight wounded. Source: Zagazola
ISWAP’s claim for the Mafa double IED attack.
17 January
Near Alagarno Forest (Damboa LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP targeted the Nigerian Army patrols with two IEDs, claiming (the next day) to have damaged two armored vehicles.
ISWAP’s claim for the 17 January Alagarno Forest double IED attack.
18 January
Near Alagarno Forest (Damboa LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP targeted a Nigerian Army patrol with an IED, claiming (the next day) to have killed a soldier.
ISWAP’s claim for the 18 January Alagarno Forest IED attack. Dure, said to be in Timbuktu Triangle/Alagarno Forest (Damboa LGA, Borno State; However, there is also one in Sambisa Forest, in Gwoza LGA, Borno State) - Nigerian Air Force conducted strikes on ISWAP positions, killing an unspecified number of militants. Zagazola
Near Kukawa (Kukawa LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP targeted a Nigerian Army patrol with an IED, claiming (the next day) to have destroyed an armored vehicle.
ISWAP’s claim for the Kukawa IED attack.
20 January
Kirenawa (Marte LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP clashed with the patrols of the Nigerian Army and the CJTF, claiming (the next day) to have killed three soldiers, injured an unspecified number of others, and forced them to withdraw. In addition, the group reported burning two armored vehicles and seizing eight motorbikes, weapons, and ammunition.
According to DailyTrust, the killed were a lieutenant and two members of the CJTF. More than a hundred soldiers had to retreat to Marte. Source: DailyTrust
ISWAP’s claim for the Kirenawa clashes. On 21 January, ISWAP published a photo report (12 pictures) from the clashes. It largely confirmed what the group had claimed. Interestingly, the pictures were taken during the night (where the NA/CJTF advance was most likely taking place) and the following morning. One of the claimed destroyed armored vehicles can be seen in flames, it appears to be a Saurer 4K4FA or a similar model. The bodies of the killed men also can be seen in the pictures, as well as six out of eight captured motorbikes. While ISWAP did not say much about the weapons and equipment, it must be said that it is sizeable. Only four rifles were captured, although the militants also seized several boxes of small arms ammunition, belts of 12.7mm (?) ammunition, at least a handful of RPG projectiles, some unspecified tubes, magazines, and more.
One of ISWAP’s pictures from the clashes in Kirenawa, showing a large quantity of weapons and ammunition. Luskori (said to be in Konduga LGA, Borno State) - Nigerian soldiers ambushed and killed a ‘Boko Haram’ (most likely ISWAP) militant. Another one fled with gunshot wounds. The troops recovered one AK rifle. Source: Zagazola
Mallam Fatori (Abadam LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP targeted a Nigerian Army patrol with an IED, claiming (on the same day) to have killed and wounded an unspecified number of soldiers and destroyed an SUV.
ISWAP’s claim for the Mallam Fatori IED attack. Ngala-Dikwa area (Ngala or Dikwa LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP targeted a CJTF patrol with an IED, claiming (the next day) to have killed a commander, injured an unspecified number of other members, and damaged an SUV.
ISWAP’s claim for the Ngala-Dikwa area IED attack.
21 January
Tumbun Jaki (Abadam LGA, Borno State) - ISWAP and the Bakura group clashed with each other, with the latter reportedly ending up victorious and killing some of the enemies. ISWAP is reportedly still present in several areas north of Baga. Source: Zagazola
CAMEROON
15 January
Gouzoudou (Mayo-Sava Department) - The military killed a ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) fighter after the group attempted an attack on the village. The troops were already present there at the time of the incursion. They also recovered one rifle. Sources: Humanity Purpose, Sembe
Tolkomari (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) attacked the village and stole food, a motorbike, and other goods. An intervention by the military did not yield any results. Source: Humanity Purpose
16 January
Gouzoudou (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) attacked the village for the second time in as many days. The militants killed a civilian and stole a bike, food, and other goods. Source: Humanity Purpose
Limani-Kourgui road (Mayo-Sava Department) - JAS militants ambushed a man transporting goods to Mora. The man was shot and wounded but was rescued by a military patrol. The security forces were deployed in the area and managed to recover some of the stolen goods. Sources: Humanity Purpose 1, Humanity Purpose 2
Walassa (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) stole livestock from a shepherd. They forced the man to help transport the animals to Djambele and after that, they released him. Then, the attackers moved deeper into Cameroonian territory, instead of crossing back into Nigeria, as would have been expected. Sources: Humanity Purpose 1, Humanity Purpose 2, Sembe
Tagawa (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (ISWAP) stole three herds of cattle from a shepherds’ camp. Source: Humanity Purpose
18 January
Doulo (Mayo-Sava Department) - The military repelled an attack launched by ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) fighters at night. The details of the encounter are unknown. Source: Humanity Purpose
Ouvada, near Mora (Mayo-Sava Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) attacked the village. One of the attackers, however, was killed during the incursion. Source: ARDHU
Watatoufou, near Tourou (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) killed a man in his forties during an attack on the village. The militants looted several houses and stole phones, clothes, money, and food. Source: Humanity Purpose
20 January
Ldoubam (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - ‘Boko Haram’ (JAS) fighters attacked the village and shot four men dead. They also looted more than 30 houses (according to the source, women and children were also taking part in the looting) and forced the residents to flee into the bush (a 16-year-old girl is said to be missing, probably abducted). Sources: Humanity Purpose 1, Humanity Purpose 2, Humanity Purpose 3, Sembe, L'Oeil du Sahel
Mavoumai (Mayo-Tsanaga Department) - JAS attacked the village and killed two people, a man and a woman. A little girl was wounded but was later transported to the Koza hospital for treatment. The attackers also stole material goods and damaged (presumably) some buildings. Humanity Purpose
NIGER
18 January
Libisoroa (Diffa Department) - Clashes between two ‘Boko Haram’ (seemingly just Bakura group, though not fully confirmed) factions reported in the Lake Chad. One renegade commander is said to have established control over the area of Morkobina, deep inside the Nigerien side of the Lake. However, most details are still unknown. Source: Phantom Eye
CHAD
No attacks were reported during this period.