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ISWAP Names New Commanders, Govs, Imposes Tax On Nigerians
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) council, headed by Abu Mus’ab Al-Barnawi, has reshuffled its structures.
Al-Barnawi is the son of the late extremist, Mohammed Yusuf.
ISIS appointed him a leader in 2016 after he led several loyalists out of Boko Haram.
The restructuring, ordered by the ISIS headquarters in Iraq, followed the death of ISWAP commanders in battles with the Nigerian military.
An emergency meeting was attended by Wali (leaders), Qa’ids (chiefs), commanders and heads of units, according to PRNigeria.
Abba Gana aka Ba-Lawan was reappointed ISWAP leader, barely six months after his removal by the Shura council for loss of confidence.
Ba-Lawan will lead the fight for the ISIS-backed Islamic Caliphate of Africa (Wilaya of Africa), covering parts of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
Malam Bako is the new Deputy (Na’ib) to Command the ISIS Caliphate Command of Nigeria (Wilaya of Nigeria), recently established at Tumbuktu Triangle in Southern Borno.
Abba-Kaka was named Governor of Tumbumma.
He will oversee Marte, Abadam, Kukawa, Magumeri and other parts of Lake Chad; and Abubakar Dan-Buduma is the new Operation Commander, Timbuktu Triangle.
Baba Isa, who was in charge of Taxation and Revenue on Fishing, was posted to Kangar in Abadam to relieve Abu Abdallah.
Ibn Umar is now Chief Prosecutor, Abu Umama becomes Amir of Tudun Wulgo, while Muhammed Maina is the Commander of Sabon Tumbu.
The ISWAP council also introduced mobile courts and policies to harmonise all insurgent activities and groups.
The body has stepped up plans to establish two Wilayas (Caliphates) at Lake Chad and Sambisa forest to sustain the war against countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Also, the ban imposed on fishing and farming activities in the Lake Chad area was lifted three years after civilians were chased out of Marte, Abadam, Kukawa and Guzamala, for allegedly spying for Nigerian troops.
Similarly, new taxes and levies have also been imposed on the Borno communities as part of the regulation of trade and agricultural activities.
ISWAP members will henceforth collect N5,000 monthly from traders and farmers; fishermen will pay N2,000 per bag of fish, among other levies.
An intelligence officer with Operation Hadin Kai said the new actions by the sect do not bother the military.
“Despite the alleged reunion of Boko Haram and ISWAP factions, coordinated multiple airstrikes by NAF aircraft have been sustained in the destruction of their strongholds.
“The operations were targeted at various terrorists’ camps in Sabon Tumbu, Jibularam, Kwalaram, Timbuktu Triangle and Parisu and other targets in the Lake Chad.
“Bombardments at Lamboa forest, Bula Yobe, Jabullam, Yauma Wango, Mainok and Dikwa axes eliminated ISWAP fighters and commanders including Umar Tela, Modu Sulum and one-eyed Modu Kennami.
“Escapees from terrorist camps have surrendered to troops. We have captured some notorious informants who leaked information on security movements and formations”, the source said.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene