Pay to Access | Nigeria (Northeast): Boko Haram and ISWAP Locked in a Violent Territorial War around Lake Chad

African Security Analysis (ASA) Intelligence Report and Forecast

The Lake Chad Basin has become the epicentre of a deadly rivalry between Boko Haram’s JAS faction and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Between 5–8 November 2025, intense clashes across strategic islands in Borno State left hundreds of fighters dead and revealed a renewed struggle for control over smuggling routes, revenue networks, and territorial dominance.

This report provides:

• Detailed battlefield analysis of the Lake Chad islands, including Dogon Chiku, Tumbun Gini, and Mangari.
• Profiles and tactics of JAS and ISWAP, showing how economic and strategic motivations drive the conflict.
• Implications for the Nigerian military and civilians, highlighting emerging risks from splinter cells, displacement, and riverine vulnerabilities.
• Regional and strategic context, including cross-border insurgent dynamics and MNJTF opportunities.
• ASA’s near-term forecast, with likely retaliatory strikes, civilian displacement, and potential openings for coordinated military operations.

This in-depth analysis offers actionable insights into a complex and evolving jihadist theatre, essential for stakeholders monitoring security, humanitarian, and operational trends in the Lake Chad Basin.