Senior ISWAP commander Al-Muhajir killed in Malam Fatori

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has confirmed the death of one of its senior Shura Council members, Abu Yahya Al-Muhajir, describing the development as a significant setback to the group.

The confirmation was contained in a propaganda release circulated by the terror group, in which it mourned Al-Muhajir and referred to his death as its “greatest loss in recent times” within the Malam Fatori axis.

Security sources said Al-Muhajir was believed to have played key roles in recent ISWAP operations around the Lake Chad Basin.

However, it remains unclear whether he was killed during the group’s failed attack on Malam Fatori or in a subsequent airstrike targeting fleeing militants.

According to military sources, troops successfully repelled the March 18, 2026 attack, killing about 80 terrorists during the confrontation and follow-up operations.

Internal ISWAP communications reportedly suggest that Al-Muhajir either died on the battlefield or later succumbed to injuries sustained during the military counteroffensive.

Earlier reports indicated that the botched assault left at least 84 ISWAP fighters dead, with several others wounded.