Iswap cashes in on Shekau's death by mopping up Boko Haram bases on Sambisa Forest

TERRORRIST sect the Islamic State of West Africa Province (Iswap) is consolidating its grip across northeast Nigeria following the death of Boko Haram leader Sheikh Abubakar Shekau by wiping out the remainder of his cells in Sambisa Forest.

Iswap broke away from Boko Haram and has operated as a rival group, with both laying claims to supremacy in the fight against the Nigerian state. Last week, fighters from both groups clashed after the Iswap insurgents led by their commander Bana Duguri, stormed Boko Haram's Sambisa Forest hideout and during the clash Sheikh Shekau was killed.

Apparently, Sheikh Shekau blew himself up to avoid being captured alive and following his death, Iswap have embarked on a mop up operation. Over the last few days, Iswap insurgents have killed and arrested several Boko Haram commanders including the likes of Mustapha Krimima Jaysh, Ba’akaka, Malkin Tijjani, Hirasama and Mallam Ballu.

Gun trucks of terrorists were sighted at Marte, East of Tumour, Tumbumma and the Tumbuktu Triangle in Sambisa Forest. With Iswap now clearly in the ascendancy, it is believed a series of meetings are being held at the Sabeel Huda camp in the heart of Sambisa Forest between its commanders and the senior Boko Haram commanders who have surrendered.

Eventually, the fate of the arrested Boko Haram fighters will be decided by Iswap's disciplinary committee headed by Muhammad Malumma, its chief judge. Iswap's leadership has vowed to eliminate all terrorists belonging to the Shekau group, if they fail to surrender.

Already, an Iswap committee led by Abu-Mosad Albarnawy, the self-proclaimed appointee of Amirul Mu’uminoon, the Isis leader, has annoinced the dissolution of all of Sheikh Shekau’s structures. All Iswap's service chiefs and its commanding officers are all under the supervision of Abu-Mosad Albarnawy.