Ahmad Salkida, a journalist known to have access to the leadership of the group, disclosed this on Monday night.

According to him, the new leader of the group is Abu Abdullah Ibn Umar Albarnawi.

Salkida said no reason was given for the development .

“The Islamic State has sacked Abu Mus’ab Albarnawi as the leader of its West African affiliate (ISWAP),” Salkida wrote on Twitter.

“The new Wali, according to an 18:13 audio recording, is Abu Abdullah Ibn Umar Albarnawi. No reason was given for the sack of Abu Musab (Habib).”

Musab is the eldest surviving son of Mohammed Yusuf, founder of Boko Haram, who was killed in 2009.

He was the spokesman of Boko Haram before the group pledged allegiance to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Boko Haram joined IS in 2015. It, however, split with the group in 2016 over leadership issues.

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The Federal Government and the Defence Headquarters have, however, described the report as a tissue of lies.

ISWA, which is led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the son of Boko Haram founder, Muhammed Yusuf, reportedly, gives out seeds and fertilisers and provides safe pasture for herdsmen for a fee.

According to herdsmen who spoke to Reuters, ISWA provides safe grazing for about N2,500 ($8) a cow and N1,500 ($5) for smaller animals. ISWA also runs slaughterhouses for the cattle, taking a cut for each animal, as well as from other activities like gathering firewood.

The group, which is said to have between 3,000 and 5,000 fighters, is believed to have strong links with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the world’s most notorious terrorist organisation.

Its fighters have the power to carry out targeted attacks like the February kidnapping of 100 schoolgirls from Dapchi and a deadly raid on a Nigerian military base in March.

A map produced by the United States development agency in February and seen by Reuters shows how ISWA territory extends more than 100 miles into Borno and Yobe, where the Federal Government claims terrorists have been ‘technically defeated.’

The US map paints a similar picture, with ISWA operating in much of Borno.

“Islamic State has a terrible reputation for being so brutal around the world, and people can’t imagine an Islamic State faction could be more moderate (than Boko Haram),” said Jacob Zenn, of The Jamestown Foundation in Washington D.C.

The Lake Chad countries – Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon – have long neglected the region, allowing ISWA to create a stronghold from which to launch attacks. Its gains contrast with setbacks for ISIS.

ISWA’s territory is not completely secure, however, as the Nigerian Air Force often bombs, and troops from Lake Chad countries attack the insurgents’ domain around its shores and islands.

The military has announced an operation “to totally destroy Boko Haram locations in the Lake Chad Basin” – ISWA’s domain – and end the insurgency within four months.

But ISWA has so far proven intractable in its Lake Chad bases, where troops have been unable to make effective inroads, according to a Western diplomat who follows the group. The Nigerian military had “completely lost the initiative against the insurgency,” they said.

The diplomat said ISWA was ready to cede less important areas because the military cannot hold them. “However, they maintain absolute control over the islands and immediate areas near them where they train, live, etc.”

According to the report, ISWA protects locals from Boko Haram, something the Nigerian Army cannot always do. That, according to one of the people with knowledge of the insurgency, has won the group local backing and eroded support for the military.

ISWA’s leaders are low-profile, not appearing in videos or claiming responsibility for attacks, possibly to avoid the international media, and the ire of regional governments. Reuters was unable to contact the group for comment.

The report adds that Boko Haram and ISWA are bloody rivals, but some travellers in ISWA territory feel safer than elsewhere in Nigeria’s North-East.

“They have checkpoints for stop and search, and if you are a regular visitor they know you,” said a herdsman, adding that ISWA has spies everywhere, including informers who alert them to military attacks.

However, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, told our correspondent on the telephone that the report was ‘absolute nonsense.’

Mohammed, who is the official spokesman for the Federal Government, urged Nigerians to disregard the report, insisting that it was based on falsehood.

He said, “The report is absolute bunkum. The report is false and there is no place where taxes are being collected or terrorists are in control. I just spoke with the theatre commander and he also denied it.”

Also speaking with our correspondent, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. John Agim, rubbished the report, insisting that there was a conspiracy by some western interests to frustrate the war against terror through propaganda.

Agim said, “There is no territory that is under the control of the terrorists. Find out from the political leaders in the state if there is any local government under Boko Haram territory. There is none that is under the control of terrorists.

“I know that they have been driven into the Sambisa Forest and because of the size of the place, the military cannot remain there because it is 10 times the size of Lagos and each time we clear the place, terrorists always return to the place.

“But there is no local government that is under Boko Haram. A lot of international bodies are doing a lot to discredit the military and ensure that Nigeria does not overcome Boko Haram. Most of these international bodies are doing a lot to ensure that Nigeria doesn’t clear Boko Haram.”

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The brazen operation — which unfolded around the very city where Boko Haram was born — turned the spotlight on the authorities’ struggle to quell the jihadists’ nearly nine-year-old offensive.

Boko Haram fighters attacked a military base in the Cashew Plantation area at the entrance to the city with suicide bombers, mortars and guns, leading to a prolonged battle, a senior military officer in Maiduguri said.

“Eighteen Boko Haram terrorists on foot attacked the military base while seven suicide bombers targeted residents of nearby Bale Shuwar and Alikaranti villages at 8:50 pm (1950 GMT),” said the officer who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to speak about the incident.

“The terrorists fired mortars at troops,” the officer said.

“So far we have recovered 18 dead bodies from the two villages,” Bello Dambatto, an official from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) told AFP.

“The victims were killed while trying to escape the fight between the insurgents and the military,” said Dambatto.

One soldier was among the dead, the army said in a statement, which added that it had killed six insurgents and “neutralised” seven suicide bombers.

The attackers were trying to infiltrate into the city, said Ba’Kura Abba Ali, a militia leader in the area helping soldiers in fighting Boko Haram.

The assailants climbed up a trench that had been dug in the sand round the city to stave off Boko Haram suicide and gun attacks, and attacked troops, Ali said.

Maiduguri residents reported hearing at least five explosions and sounds of gunfire coming from the Cashew Plantation area.

“Huge blasts and sounds of gunshots were heard all over the city last night and they continued for more than an hour,” said one resident, Ibrahim Gremah.

Boko Haram’s nearly nine-year fight to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria has claimed at least 20,000 lives and displaced more than two million people.

Hundreds of thousands are holed up in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, where they are living in camps or with host families.

On Friday, four girl suicide bombers aged between 13 and 18 killed two people in multiple attacks in Zawuya settlement on the outskirts of Maiduguri in the first assault since the government announced it was in ceasefire talks with Boko Haram.

The attacks highlight the challenge the government faces in striking a ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram.

In February, when more than 100 schoolgirls were returned to Dapchi after being kidnapped by the jihadist group, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said his government was offering amnesty to “repentant” jihadists.

But the process is troubled by factionalism within Boko Haram, say senior security officials.

The group is divided into two factions that have competing goals and operational methods.

One, led by Abu Mus’ab al-Barnawi and affiliated with the so-called Islamic State, is reportedly in talks with the government. The other, led by Abubakar Shekau, is notorious for suicide bombings.

“Talks have been ongoing between the government and the insurgents from the Al-Barnawi faction,” said a source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The source said peace talks began in earnest after the July 2017 attack on an oil exploration team in Lake Chad that killed at least 69 people.

“The major headache now is extending the talks to the Shekau faction which is averse to negotiations. Dealing with them is quite problematic.”

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The sect also hinted that the girls might be released.

Wakil, popularly called Mama Boko Haram on account of her closeness to many of the sect members ,said Saturday that the Abu Musab Al-Barnawi faction called her on Thursday to confirm that it is keeping the girls.

She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the abductors told her that the girls were safe, healthy and in good condition.

She did not say how many of the girls are with the terrorists, although the Federal Government put the number of the missing girls at 110.

The sect had called her following an earlier interview she granted PRNigeria in which she pleaded with the abductors to release the girls to enable them to be reunited with their families.

She said in that interview that she was ready to sacrifice her life to rescue the girls. “They were even the ones that called me, and said Mama we heard what you had said and told me that they were with the girls and they were going to release them.

“I begged of them and said please let this not be another 1,000-plus days of Chibok girls, and they laughed and said no. I asked them where I can come and stay with them (girls) for two days, but they did not say anything.

“I can assure Nigerians that so far they are with my son, Habib (Abu Musab Al-Barnawi), and his friends. Habib is a nice guy; he is a very nice boy. He will not harm them; he will not touch them; and he will not kill them.

“He is going to listen to us, and so far, he indicated interest that he loves peace. And I love them for that and believe what they said on this.

“They will definitely give us the girls. All I am begging Nigerians is to calm down, be prayerful, everything will be over.”

The activist had, at various times, participated and played key roles in negotiations between the military authorities and Boko Haram insurgents’ commanders, which facilitated the release of numerous abductees from terrorists’ captivity.

She was a member of the Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges Committee in the northern region set up during the President Goodluck Jonathan era.

Al-Barnawi is the first son of the late founder of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf who died in police custody following a 2009 military crackdown on the sect in Maiduguri.

The militant group, Islamic State (ISIS), in August 2016 appointed Al-Barnawi as the head of Boko Haram, a decision which was vehemently rejected by Abubakar Shekau.

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Aisha Wakil, a former member of the Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the northern region of Nigeria under the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan, had, in previous efforts, brought military officers and Boko Haram Commanders together during negotiations. She was also credited to the release of some abductees from the Boko Haram sect via phone calls to the leadership, including some Chibok girls.

Speaking to in Maiduguri, Aisha who is said to be highly respected by some leaders of Boko Haram said she was ready to sacrifice her life to rescue the girls from abductors.

The activist was reported to have helped in the circumcision of some kids over two decades ago who later became Boko Haram members. Her relationship with the sect members earned her the name ‘Mama Boko Haram.’

Disturbed about the latest abduction of 110 students of Government Girls Technical College Dapchi, Aisha has renewed her commitment to fight to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

The activist who cried profoundly said “This thing that is happening, is really breaking my heart. These children don’t even know what they are doing. Some of them were not even born at the time this thing started.

“Wallahi I will go after them, even if it will take my life to save these girls. They call me Mummy, but they don’t listen to me. I keep on talking to them, begging them to lay down their arms and embrace peace but they will say ‘Insha-Allah mummy we are going to stop.’ Sometimes they will say they are scared they are going to be killed but I will tell them nobody is going to kill you.”

Appealing to the leader of the Boko Haram Sect, Aisha said: “I heard you are now been called ‘Abu Mussad Albarnawi’ but I know you as Habib and I am begging you to stop the killing and abduction. I have sent many messages to you. I don’t know if you are getting these messages or you just choose to continue to hurt your mother and make her cry.

“Dear Habib, Nuru and others, I was told you may be the ones responsible for the kidnapped of these girls. Where ever you may be if you are listening to me, I beg you in the name of Allah to release the girls back to their families.

“What type of children will continue letting their mother to continue crying. Dear Habib, I pray Allah touches your heart and that of your colleagues to stop what you are doing. Please come out. I will never deny you even if the whole world did. Those who know you know your heart. They know you are no longer interested in the fight anymore.

“I will hold all of you and wrap you with my wrapper and bring you out and no one is going to shoot you. If they will shoot you, they will have to shoot me first. I don’t mind sacrificing my life if you will stop what you are doing. If I die to stop Boko Haram, I know I will go to paradise.”

Respected by many in her community, Aisha Wakil has been actively involved in efforts to end Boko Haram through her NGO “Complete Care and Aid Foundation” aimed at restoring peace to the northeast by rehabilitating the youth against warped ideologies that mislead them to join the terror group.

The organisation is designed to provide a free feeding centre, fight drug abuse, sex hawking, human trafficking, female genital mutilation and de-worming among persons displaced by the insurgency..

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Al-Barnawi is featured in ISIS’ latest magazine, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation.

It is not clear what would or has become of Abubakar Shekau, who had led the terrorist group since its founder, Mohammed Yusuf, was killed in 2009.

Boko Haram had pledged allegiance to ISIS early 2015. However, not much had been heard from Shekau since then.

He last appeared in a video amid speculation that he had been killed, declaring that the end had come for him.

“For me the end has come,” he had said in the video, which was subdued compared to his other videos in which he bragged and taunted the Nigerian government.

Under his leadership, the group had carried attacks in several states in the North East, killing thousands and displacing millions of Nigerians.

As part of its activities the group carried out several abductions including that of the 276 Chibok schoolgirls, who have yet to be rescued more than two years after the shocking incident.

It also claimed responsibility for attacks on the United Nations Office, Abuja as well as blasts in the Nyanya axis of the Federal Capital Territory.

A late push by the Goodluck Jonathan administration and an onslaught by the current administration has resulted in the deaths and arrests of many of the insurgents with survivors retreating into the Sambisa Forest.

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