Top ISIS Commander Killed by Deadly Snake

In a bizarre turn of events, a high-ranking commander of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) known as Kiriku reportedly met his demise after being bitten by a venomous snake in Nigeria’s Sambisa forest. The incident occurred on June 23, three days after the snakebite, according to local sources and the Daily Post, a Nigerian news outlet.

Kiriku, a prominent figure within ISWAP, sustained two bites from a highly venomous brown snake while taking shelter in one of the group’s hideouts located in Agikur Mosque, within the Damboa Local Government Area. Tragically, due to the lack of medical treatment available to him, the terrorist commander succumbed to the snakebite.

The deceased ISWAP commander was notorious for his activities in the Jiddari axis of Chiralia, situated in the Timbuktu Triangle. Kiriku led numerous attacks and ambushes against Nigerian Army troops involved in Operation Hadin Kai, targeting the strongholds of Boko Haram and ISWAP. The Timbuktu Triangle encompasses five Nigerian towns, including Damboa, Jere, Kaga, Konduga, and Gujba, and serves as a significant base for the terrorist groups.

Earlier this month, the Nigerian Air Force carried out an airstrike that reportedly resulted in the deaths of several ISWAP fighters in Borno. Citing Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, The Cable reported that Nigerian fighter jets targeted two Hilux trucks carrying an unconfirmed number of ISWAP fighters. Four bombs were dropped, destroying the vehicles and dispersing the remaining fighters.

In response to the threat posed by ISWAP, Nigerian security forces initiated a five-day military operation to clear the terrorist group’s hideouts in the region. This operation aimed to pressure and weaken ISWAP by eliminating armed groups and cutting off their supply routes.

In May, a major military offensive led by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which includes Nigeria, dealt a significant blow to ISWAP. The operation, named “Harbin Zuma,” reportedly resulted in the neutralization of 55 ISWAP terrorists, including some high-ranking commanders. The offensive also led to the destruction of 13 vehicles and 13 motorcycles belonging to the group, while five vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) were discovered and rendered harmless.

While the operation achieved significant successes, it did come at a cost, with two MNJTF troops losing their lives and three others sustaining minor injuries.

The combined efforts of Nigerian security forces and multinational partners continue in their quest to dismantle the activities of ISWAP and other extremist groups in the region. The recent incident involving Kiriku’s demise serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by both the terrorists and the forces dedicated to countering their activities in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against insurgency.