The Shura (Judicial) Council of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), an ISIS affiliate, has named Sani Shuwaram as new Leader (Wali) in the Lake Chad region.
Shuwaram replaces the commander, who had been appointed in acting capacity since the demise of Malam Bako.
Bako succeeded Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, the late leader and son of Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf.
According to PRNigeria, Shuwaram was sworn by Alkali (Judge) Bukar Arge in Kurnawa, a remote camp in Lake Chad, the de-facto headquarters of ISWAP in the Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
His installation was witnessed by an ISIS delegation. Shuwaram becomes the fifth officially recognised head of the West Africa unit.
Mamman Nur, Abba-Gana, Abu-Dawud, a.k.a. Aba Ibrahim, Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, immediate past leader killed by the military, held the position at different times.
Shuwaram will control the group in Sambisa, Timbuktu, Tumbumma and others under the supervision of ISIS Leader, the Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.
A military source stated that visiting ISIS envoys also discussed internal rivalries, discriminatory action and financial challenges in ISWAP.
Others were clashes between JAS factions led by Bakoura and Bukuma as well as refusal of some Boko Haram fighters to join those that have pledged allegiance to ISWAP since Abubakar Shekau’s death.
“Apart from looking at issues of management of resources and welfare of widows and foot-soldiers, ISIS is planning to provide logistic support to ISWAP for missions in Baga, Marte and Malam Fatori”, the officer said.
Meanwhile, intelligence has uncovered the plan by ISWAP to move military uniforms purchased from Libya into Nigeria.
