Fresh tension and anxiety have reportedly gripped camps of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following the neutralisation of one of its top commanders, Modu Kunduli, by troops of Operation HADIN KAI during a failed assault on an Army Forward Operating Base in Borno State.
Security sources disclosed that Kunduli was killed during a foiled attack on the Forward Operating Base in Mayanti village, Bama Local Government Area, last week when terrorists attempted to overrun the military position.
His death is believed to have created a significant leadership vacuum within ISWAP’s ranks, particularly in the Sambisa Forest axis, where he was regarded as one of the group’s most experienced field commanders. Kunduli was said to possess deep knowledge of the terrain and spoke several local languages, including Fulfulde, Kanuri and Marghi, which aided his operational coordination across communities in the region.
According to security intelligence reports monitored by Zagazola, Kunduli had been orchestrating attacks across parts of Borno and Adamawa states for about a decade, dating back to the era of Boko Haram founder, Abubakar Shekau. He reportedly joined ISWAP after the death of Shekau in 2021.
The late commander was widely linked to several attacks and acts of violence in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, including communities such as Lassa, Multaku, Uvu, Wamdeo and Ruimirgo.
He was also alleged to have coordinated attacks on several communities in Gwoza Local Government Area, including Vita, Yamtage, Izge, Pulka, Warabe, Limankara and Ubawa.
Beyond Borno State, intelligence sources indicated that Kunduli exercised operational control over Galta, a border community linking Adamawa and Borno states. From there, he reportedly supervised terrorist activities across parts of Madagali and Michika Local Government Areas of Adamawa State.
His deep familiarity with the Sambisa Forest terrain and his leadership role within the group reportedly earned him command of multiple ISWAP operational cells across the region.
Security sources believe Kunduli’s elimination represents a major setback for ISWAP’s operational capabilities in the North-East, potentially disrupting the group’s command structure and coordination of attacks across Borno and Adamawa states.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI are said to be exploiting the development by intensifying clearance operations and aggressive patrols in the general area to prevent fleeing insurgents from regrouping.
Military sources also assured residents that ongoing operations would continue until the remaining elements of the terrorist group are decisively neutralised and lasting security restored across affected communities.
-Zagazola
