MAIDUGURI, Apr 22 (AGCNewsNet) – The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for a string of deadly attacks earlier this month targeting Nigerian security forces and Christian civilians in northeastern Nigeria, according to messages published on the group’s propaganda outlet, Amaq News Agency.

In a series of seven messages, the group claimed responsibility for assaults in Borno and Adamawa states, accompanied by visual evidence, including a video and two photo albums documenting the operations.

In Borno state, ISWAP fighters reportedly stormed a Nigerian army barracks in Yamtage town, killing three soldiers and setting the facility on fire. In another operation, the group claimed to have captured and executed four members of pro-government militias aligned with the Nigerian military.

In neighboring Adamawa state, ISWAP said it carried out two separate assaults on Banga village, a predominantly Christian community. The first, on April 15, left two Christians dead and over 30 houses, including a church, torched. The second attack, on April 16, targeted a Nigerian police patrol, resulting in injuries and vehicle damage. The group also released images of a separate assault on Lareh village in the same state, showing Christian homes and a church being set ablaze.

These attacks follow a deadly assault in Plateau state last week, in which over 50 people were killed by unidentified gunmen, further highlighting the escalating violence in Nigeria’s north.

ISWAP and Boko Haram have continued to destabilize the northeastern region, killing tens of thousands and displacing millions since their insurgency began over a decade ago. In response, the Nigerian government has pledged to intensify its counterterrorism operations, increasing its 2025 defense budget by more than 40%.

The Nigerian military says it is committed to crushing all terrorist groups and restoring stability across affected communities. However, the resurgence in attacks has raised fresh concerns about the security situation and the resilience of extremist networks in the region.

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