A fresh and deadly confrontation has reportedly left several senior insurgent commanders dead following a coordinated ambush by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction around Bula Murge in Bama Local Council Area of Borno State.

Sources told a counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, yesterday that the clash occurred in the Gargash general area around Bula Murge, approximately 11 kilometres north of Miyanti and 26 kilometres northeast of Bama.

This comes as no fewer than 39 locals have been reportedly killed and 37 kidnapped as bandits’ attacks displaced 19 communities in Shagari Local Council Area of Sokoto State.

Following the repeated attacks, residents of Sabon Birni council have expressed worries, saying the federal government and northern political leaders have not done anything to secure lives and property in the axis.

In the meantime, the Senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, Aminu Tambuwal, has condemned the renewed wave of banditry and terrorist attacks across parts of the state.

A statement by his media office said the former governor of Sokoto State expressed deep sorrow at the recent attacks in Kebbe, Shagari and Sabon Birni local councils, which have claimed lives, led to kidnappings, cattle rustling and displacement of residents.

According to sources, ISWAP fighters carried out a surprise attack on the rival JAS faction, inflicting heavy casualties during the fierce engagement.

Among those reportedly killed were prominent JAS commanders identified as Abu Ubaida, Modu Kori, Alhaji Modu, Mure, Zarkawi, Sheriff and Modu Maye, all believed to have played key operational roles within the faction operating in the area.

It was further reported that the attack forced surviving JAS fighters into disarray, with intercepted communications indicating that the group had begun plans to evacuate its women and families to Bula Daloye following the destruction of their camps.

The intelligence further revealed that Bula Murge and Nguro Bafuye – the two locations previously occupied by the JAS faction – were set ablaze during the assault, depriving the group of key shelters and logistics hubs.

Security sources disclosed that troops operating around Miyanti, Bama, Kumshe and adjoining communities have been urged to maintain pressure by sustaining offensives on both factions to further degrade their fighting capability and prevent either faction from regrouping or re-establishing their operational bases.

The latest confrontation was the latest in a series of violent clashes between ISWAP and JAS, whose long-running rivalry has continued to reshape the insurgency landscape in the North East.

MEANWHILE, Tambuwal particularly mourned the death of Hussaini Balarabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, who was reportedly killed during a gun battle with armed bandits in Kebbe Local Council Area.

Describing the officer’s death as “deeply painful and unacceptable,” Tambuwal said, “the death of ASP Hussaini Balarabe in the line of duty is a painful reminder of the enormous sacrifices our security personnel make every day to protect our people.”

Tambuwal further called on the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities and end the persistent violence.

He warned that the recurring violence posed not only a threat to lives and property but also to agriculture, commerce and the socio-economic well-being of rural communities.

According to a Sabon Birni villager, Usman Nagogo, the latest attack lasted from 9:00 pm on Monday to 3:00 am on Tuesday. He told newsmen on the telephone that many of the villagers who were escaping the bandits’ attacks drowned.

Another villager, Muhammad Abubakar, a local canoe operator, said the overloaded boats capsized with over 25 people, mostly women and children, on board, only seven of whom were rescued.

According to him, though security operatives were informed about the attack, no reinforcement came until late, and now the village is completely deserted.

When contacted, the Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Council, Ayuba Hashimu, confirmed the incidents, but said he could not verify the casualty figures from the attack and the boat incident, adding that accessing the village was not easy for now.