The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for a series of deadly attacks targeting Nigerian security forces as well as Christian civilians in Nigeria’s northeastern regions earlier this month.
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for a series of deadly attacks targeting Nigerian security forces and Christian civilians in northeastern Nigeria earlier this month. Through seven messages posted on its news agency “Amaq”, ISWAP claimed it conducted these operations, backing up the statements with a video depicting one of the assaults and two photo albums documenting two other operations.
In Borno state, the group claimed responsibility for an attack on a Nigerian army barracks in Yamtage town, where it said three soldiers were killed and the barracks set ablaze. ISWAP also claimed to have captured and killed four members of pro-government militias loyal to the Nigerian army in the same state.
In Adamawa state, the group claimed responsibility for two attacks on Banga village, a Christian community. The first, on April 15, allegedly resulted in the deaths of two Christians and the torching of over 30 houses and a church. The second attack on April 16 targeted a Nigerian police patrol in the village, damaging a vehicle and wounding several officers. ISWAP also released a photo album depicting an assault on Lareh village in Adamawa, showing houses belonging to Christians and a church being set on fire, but it was not accompanied by a claim.