Farmers, fishermen and herders have been reportedly banned by the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) terrorist group from operating within its areas of presence in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Daily Trust that ISWAP vowed to eliminate anyone found within the general areas of Katikime, Bulungahe, Kutukungunla, Chikun Gudu, Tumbumma, Guma Kura, Guma Gana and New Marte, after accusing them of spying on their activities for the Nigerian military.
This is coming after the terrorist group suffered strings of heavy losses from relentless airstrikes coordinated by the Nigerian military in some identified hideouts in Marte. The strikes led to the elimination of top commanders of the ISWAP, scores of foot soldiers, destruction of their logistics, VBIED factory and vehicles.
The successful offensives forced the terrorists to split into camps within Marte to avoid any form of mass gathering. ISWAP has now resolved to only converge at a location given as “large” when there was any need to coordinate any form of attack.
