Notorious ISWAP Commander, Kiriku, Dies After Venomous Snake Bite In Borno State

A notorious commander of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), identified as Kiriku, met his untimely demise three days after being bitten by a venomous snake. The incident occurred in the North East region of Sambisa, a notorious area known for insurgent activities.

Reports indicate that Kiriku sustained two snake bites from a “highly venomous” brown snake while hiding in one of their secretive locations, the Agikur Mosque in Damboa Local Government Area. Despite efforts to save his life, Kiriku passed away on June 23, 2023.

The late commander was known for his involvement in several attacks and ambushes against the troops of Operation Hadin Kai. Kiriku operated within the Jiddari axis of Chiralia, located in the Timbuktu triangle, which is notorious for its volatile security situation. His activities had posed a significant threat to the security forces deployed in the region.

Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region, noted that the ISWAP terrorists often face difficulties accessing medical treatment due to their remote hideouts and the ongoing counter-insurgency operations against them.

The death of Kiriku is seen as a significant blow to ISWAP’s operations in the area, as he played a prominent role in planning and executing attacks against security personnel. His demise is expected to disrupt their activities temporarily and provide a window of opportunity for the security forces to enhance their operations in the region.