The Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has appointed
Abu Khalifa as its new commander around the Timbuktu Triangle.
The appointment followed the killing of ISWAP’s former
commander, Julaibib, by Nigerian troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Kimba, Damboa
Local Government Area of Borno State.
A security expert, Zagazola Makama, said in a report on
Monday that the appointment was made after internal consultations within the
ISWAP leadership.
According to him, security sources said Julaibib was
recently neutralised during a military operation in the Kimba axis of Damboa
LGA, prompting the group to quickly restructure its command.
“Intelligence revealed that Abu Khalifa has been named as
the new ISWAP commander in the Timbuktu Triangle to replace Julaibib,” the
source said.
It was also gathered that no official second-in-command
(2IC) has been appointed yet.
However, the source added that one Tuja is currently being
considered by the group’s fighters as the leading candidate for the position of
deputy commander.
The development comes as troops of Operation Hadin Kai
continue sustained offensives against ISWAP and Boko Haram enclaves across the
southern Borno axis.
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