By Mike Odeh James and Segun Onibiyo
Maiduguri–Nigerian military has achieved a significant victory over Islamic State For West African Province (ISWAP) militants between January 16-24, 2025 but suffered severe losses in an operation in the Northeast.
A statement from Nigerian Defense Headquarters on January, 25, 2025 acknowledged that the Nigerian Army had lost 22 if its men in an operation against ISWAP while killing more than 70 of the terrorists in Borno State.
The statement explained the soldiers were lost on January 25, when the Army cleared a deadly enclave of ISWAP called “Timbuktu Triangle” which spans several counties in the Northeast.
Timbuktu Triangle
The Timbuktu Triangle has been identified as a hub of ISWAP operations. According to David Onyilokwu Idah, a director at the International Human Rights Commission, “Timbuktu Triangle is the main hub of ISWAP operations. It is from that region that ISWAP members plan and launch their attacks on other parts of Borno and neighboring countries.”
The region’s proximity to Lake Chad makes it strategic but also vulnerable to infiltration by terrorist groups. ISWAP has been notorious for planting roadside mines and rigging vehicles with explosives to target troops.
Idah emphasized the importance of clearing the Timbuktu Triangle, stating, “The Military has rightly judged that, for total peace in the Chad basin to be achieved, the Timbuktu Triangle has to be cleared. From this triangle ISWAP trains its recruits on how to make Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and this is where the terrorists train their members on how to shoot Rocket Propelled Guns (RPG) and others.”
Army Clears Triangle
In response to the threats posed by the triangle, the Nigerian Army launched Operation Desert Sanity IV on January 16, 2025, aimed at dismantling terrorist strongholds in the Timbuktu Triangle.
The Nigerian troops successfully dislodged ISWAP terrorists from their enclaves in Jemyeri, Abulam, Agum, and Digamari, killing 18 insurgents, including three high-profile commanders: Talha, ISWAP’s women leader; Mallam Umar, an RPG trainer; and Abu Yazeed, ISWAP Brigade Commander, according to Major General Edward Buba.
As the military continued to squeeze the terrorists, they resorted to using suicide bombers and vehicles laden with explosive devices.
On January 24, 2025, terrorists launched a desperate Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack on troops at Gardiri Base in Damboa Local Government Area.
General Buba, Spokesperson for Nigerian Defense Headquarters, said, “On Jan. 24, 2025, terrorists launched a desperate Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attack on troops at Gardiri Base in Damboa Local Government Area. Despite suffering losses, including a commanding officer, two officers, and some soldiers, the troops neutralized more than 60 terrorists and recovered 14 AK-47 rifles, six RPG tubes, 18 motorcycles, and 24 AK-47 magazines.”
Victory At High Cost
Despite the high casualties, the Nigerian Military has achieved a strategic victory over ISWAP, according to Idah.
“The last stronghold of ISWAP is completely destroyed, its leadership has been taken out, and their capability to organise massive attacks against the military has been degraded, Idah said.
However, he noted that the loss of 22 soldiers could have been avoided if the Army had surveillance- and kinetic equipment such as drones, aerial- and roadside tools.
“Nigeria needs more body amor for its soldiers and more drones and attack helicopters. So far, Nigeria’s limited access to this equipment is one of the reasons for the high loss.
Comrade Abdul Bako Usman, President of the Committee For Defense of Democracy, has made some striking statements about the dynamics between ISWAP and Boko Haram.
According to him, “ISWAP is considered more deadly than Boko Haram. The group has about 3,000-to-4,000-foot soldiers who are very fanatical but over the years, the Nigerian military has degraded them and restricted them to the Timbuktu Triangle.”
Usman believes the destruction of the Timbuktu Triangle marks a turning point, indicating that the worst is over.
The coast is clear, but the battle is not completely over as the remnant of the terrorists would fight back hard by launching more suicide bombing.
“The military is supposed to be more vigilant and very active, he added.
Mike Odeh James and Segun Onibiyo are conflict reporters for TruthNigeria.
