Members of ISWAP Judicial Council (Shura) of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have appointed a new leader, 45-year old Sani Shuwaram.
Little-known Sani Shuwaram replaced Aba-Ibrahim, who was appointed by Abu-Mosab Albarnawi’s Interim Committee following a directive from the Headquarters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), in August 2021.
Shuwaram is the fifth recognized ISWAP figure by ISIS Central, after Mamman Nur, Abu Mosab Albarnawwy, Abbah-Gana, Abu-Dawud a.k.a Abu Hafsat Al-Ansari and Aba-Ibrahim.
Sources said the appointment came in response to the ISIS Headquarters’ directive in response to the strategic move by ISWAP to start attacks in the identified locations in Borno State, including Damasak, Damboa and Bama.
The mandate of the new appointment includes overseeing the activities of the terror group in Sambisa, Timbuktu, Tumbumma and beyond, under the general supervision of the Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, the ISIS Core Leader.
Sources noted that Shuwaram was sworn by an Alkali (Judge) Bukar Arge, in a brief ceremony in Kurnawa, a remote camp in the Lake Chad Basin fringes considered as the de-facto headquarters of ISWAP, in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
Shuwaram would be the fifth officially recognised ISWAP figure by ISIS Central, after Mamman Nur, Abu-Mosab Albarnawwy, Abbah-Gana, Abu-Dawud, also known as Abu Hafsat Al-Ansari and Aba-Ibrahim.
The swearing ceremony took place in presence of ISIS envoys who were on a fact findings and consultations missions on the SHURA Council to find solutions to problems of ISWAP in the axis.
One of the sources said: “The envoys were present at the event to also look at the ways of resolving problems with the ISWAP group which include internal rivalries, discriminatory actions, financial challenges, refusal of Boko Haram to pledge allegiance after Shekau’s death and clashes with Bakoura-led/Buduma JAS group.
“Apart from looking at issues of management of resources and welfare of widows and foot-soldiers, the ISIS is planning to provide logistic supports to ISWAP for special missions in Baga, Marte and Malam Fatori in Northern part of Borno State.”
Written with reports by Eons Intelligence and PRNigeria