A top leader of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), Sani Shuwaram has been killed.
Naija News understands the notorious leader of the dreaded group was killed alongside other terrorists in an airstrikes by Nigerian troops in the Marte axis of Borno State.
Troops of the Nigerian Air Force recorded the latest victory after using Super Tucano jets and other aircraft to launch multiple strikes in the axis where Shuwaram’s camps were located.
Naija News understands that Shuwaram in particular, was killed by gunshots when military fighter jets raided ISWAP camp at the Sabon Tumbuns general area of Lake Chad.
The NAF are said to have launched series of attacks on the terrorists in February 2022 where Shuwaram was also injured.
However, while trying to recover from their wounds from precious attacks, the NAF in the counter-insurgency operation in the North-Eastern region of the country, bombarded the hideouts of the terrorists and Shurwaram was killed in the process.
“Shuwaram was among terrorists injured by NAF air interdiction missions conducted at Sabon Tumbuns near Kirta Wulgo in February 2022. Subsequent airstrikes in the following days might have led to his death alongside other ISWAP fighters where they were receiving treatment including Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi,” PRNigeria quoted a source as saying.
Meanwhile, one Mallam Bako Gorgore has been reportedly nominated as the new Wali of ISWAP to replace Shuwaram.
Naija News understands that Shuwaram was sworn-in by an Alkali (Judge), Bukar Arge, in a brief ceremony in Kurnawa, a remote camp in the Lake Chad Basin fringes, considered as the de-facto headquarters of ISWAP, in Abadam local government area of Borno State.
However, when contacted, NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, who declined to confirm the death of Shuwaram, said that NAF aircraft with the support of ground troops have sustained military offensive at Tumbuns, close to Kirta Wulgo in Marte LGA of Borno State, within the Lake Chad Region.
Gabkwet said: “I cannot confirm the death of any leader of terrorists. We don’t want to be dragged into making any statement or confirmation based on rumours or hearsay. Nevertheless, our troops at the frontline alongside other agencies have sustained massive strikes at the hearts of terrorist leaders and their enclaves until we get this job done”.
Sources had told PRNigeria that the little-known Sani Shuwaram replaced Aba-Ibrahim, who was appointed by Abu-Mosab Albarnawi’s Interim Committee, following a directive from the Headquarters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), in August 2021.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News