A violent confrontation between rival Boko Haram factions, Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunna lid-Da‘wa wa’l-Jihād (JAS) and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has reportedly left more than 50 fighters dead in Toumbun Gini, an island community in Abadam Local Government Area.
Security sources confirmed the clash occurred on Sunday around 3:00 pm, following an attempted offensive by ISWAP fighters aimed at reclaiming territory recently seized by JAS, Prime Business Africa reports.
According to the sources, ISWAP mobilised ten high-powered boats to mount their assault. However, prior intelligence reportedly alerted JAS leaders, allowing them to prepare a counter-ambush. “At exactly 1500 hours, ISWAP landed, but what was intended as a surprise attack quickly turned into a trap. The first shots were decisive,” a source said.The ambush left over 50 ISWAP fighters dead, with seven boats captured. The remaining three boats reportedly escaped, albeit with significant casualties. Video footage appearing online showed the aftermath of the confrontation.
Security analysts described the incident as part of Day 5 of an intensified struggle between the two factions over control of Lake Chad islands. The ongoing territorial rivalry has forced both groups to operate in smaller, more unpredictable cells, complicating monitoring and counterterrorism efforts.
“The continued push by JAS against ISWAP could drive surviving fighters into mainland communities near Kukawa, Monguno, and Marte LGAs, heightening risks for civilians and security personnel,” a source said.
The internal conflict has reportedly weakened both factions’ capacity for large-scale coordinated attacks. At the same time, it has created challenges for the Nigerian military, which is navigating a complex battlefield where insurgents are both adversaries and targets.
“This is the best time for the Nigerian military to tighten the corridor and deny both factions space to regroup,” a security official added.
The clash highlights the fluid and deadly dynamics of the Lake Chad insurgency, where factional infighting is reshaping the security landscape across northeastern Nigeria