ISWAP commander who led onslaught against Shekau ‘killed’ by army

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have reportedly killed BakoGorgore, a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). According to Zagazola, a counter-insurgency expert focusedon the Lake Chad region, Gorgore, alsoknown as Abou Mustapha, was killed during an encounter with troops in KukawaLGA of Borno state. His death was reportedly confirmed through multipleintelligence channels after security operatives intercepted internalcommunications among ISWAP fighters acknowledging the development. Gorgore, believed to be about 60 years old, was regarded asone of the longest-serving figures within the insurgent group. Over the years, he held several key positions, includingsenior membership of ISWAP’s Shura council, the group’s highest decision-makingbody. He had previously been reported dead in 2022 alongside AbaIbrahim, another senior ISWAP figure. In May 2021, Gorgore and Ibrahim led a major onslaughtagainst the faction of Boko Haram known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awatiwal-Jihad (JAS). The offensive culminated in the death of Abubakar Shekau,the longtime leader of the faction. Seventeen of Shekau’s commanderssubsequently surrendered and pledged allegiance to ISWAP. Zagazola said Gorgore’s death could have significantimplications for the leadership structure of the group. “The confirmed killing of Gorgore could have importantimplications for the leadership cohesion of ISWAP. As a senior Shura memberwith deep operational experience dating back to the early Boko Haram years, hisremoval potentially disrupts command continuity within the group,” it said. “The insurgency in the Lake Chad region has historicallydepended on experienced commanders capable of navigating the complex terrainand maintaining loyalty among fighters. “The death of a veteran figure like Gorgore weakensinstitutional memory within the insurgent network and may also trigger internalpower struggles as younger commanders compete to fill the vacuum.”

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