Dozens of fighters were reportedly killed on Tuesday after a violent clash erupted between the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the Bukura faction loyal to Abu Umaima near the Nigeria–Niger border in Borno State.
The confrontation occurred around Dogon Chiku Buhari, a border community in Abadam Local Government Area, located roughly one kilometre from the Niger Republic. The fighting reportedly began around 6:00 a.m. and continued for several hours, ending shortly after 10:00 a.m.
Sources revealed that heavily armed Bukura fighters, believed to be operating from settlements on the Niger side of the Lake Chad Basin, launched an attack on ISWAP positions inside Nigeria. The battle was intense, with both sides deploying fighters and weapons in a prolonged struggle for control of the area.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama, citing multiple security sources, confirmed that the clash resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The fighting reportedly extended across locations east of Tubum Mota and along the Bosso–Diffa corridor in Niger Republic.
The Lake Chad Basin region has remained a major hotspot for extremist violence due to its strategic location and porous borders, which allow militant groups to move freely between Nigeria and neighbouring countries. Rivalries among jihadist groups have also contributed to recurring conflicts in the area.
ISWAP has been attempting to expand its dominance by absorbing or eliminating rival factions, but the Bukura group has resisted, relying on cross-border mobility, local support networks, and familiarity with the terrain to sustain its operations.
Experts say weak border control continues to hinder counterterrorism efforts, as militants frequently cross into neighbouring countries to regroup, evade security forces, and launch fresh attacks, posing ongoing challenges for Nigerian troops and the Multinational Joint Task Force.
