Boko Haram vs ISWAP Clash in Lake Chad Kills 200 in Deadly Battle

A fierce battle erupted on Sunday between Boko Haram and rival Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) militants in Dogon Chiku, along the shores of Lake Chad, resulting in the deaths of roughly 200 fighters, according to local intelligence and militia sources. The latest clash highlights the ongoing ideological and territorial struggle between the two extremist groups in northeast Nigeria.

Eyewitness accounts and former militants indicate that both sides suffered heavy losses. Babakura Kola, a member of an anti-jihadist militia supporting the Nigerian military, reported, "Around 200 Boko Haram terrorists were killed in the fight." Meanwhile, a former Boko Haram fighter, identified only as Saddiku, stated that ISWAP also lost approximately 200 fighters, and several of their weapons were seized. Boko Haram’s own casualties were comparatively low, with only four fighters killed.

"This could be the worst clash between the two groups since they began attacking each other," Saddiku said from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital and epicenter of the insurgency. A Nigerian intelligence official in the region confirmed the scale of the violence, estimating at least 150 casualties, and described the clash as a significant development in the ongoing conflict.

Boko Haram and ISWAP have been locked in a deadly feud since 2016, following a split over ideological differences. Much of their fighting centers around the strategic Lake Chad region, which has become a hotspot for jihadist activity and territorial control.

The latest confrontation underscores the volatility of the region and the continuing threat posed by both groups, despite counter-insurgency efforts by the Nigerian military and allied militias. Analysts note that the infighting weakens both factions but also poses risks to civilians living nearby, who face displacement and violence as a result of these conflicts.

As security forces continue to monitor the situation, this deadly skirmish between Boko Haram and ISWAP serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing instability and humanitarian challenges facing the Lake Chad basin.