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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.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.
