A Boko Haram commander has been seen in a video showering praises on the fighters of the insurgent group for their victory and for displacing the rival Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the Baga area of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria.
There has been a series of clashes between Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Northeast which have resulted in the death of hundreds of terrorists on both sides. Both groups have vowed to wage war against themselves rather than the security forces.
In the video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter by a security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, the Boko Haram commander addressed the fighters in Hausa language.
The Boko Haram commander said, "As we all know, it's going on in our minds that sometimes if you are overwhelmed with happiness, there are certain things you wouldn't be happy about if you don't say it with your mouth.
"That's why the person that is representing us, because he was unable to be with us, due to some unforeseen circumstances, assigned me to visit you.
“As you know, the religion of Islam is what brought us together and thankfully we have seen this in you. If there are youths like you, then the infidels will never be happy. For example, when we came here to stay in Baga, the infidels were unhappy with this and made many proposals for Baga to be ravaged by war.
“They have tried many times but the Almighty stopped their plan because there are men that are not afraid of death. Had it been there were men who were afraid of death, then they would have taken over this town, but God by his grace left it for his servant, and they even lost control of places they previously held.
“Standing firm by our religion is what made this possible. Had it been that when they came, the courage of the Mujahideen had been shattered, they would have come to stay in this town and they would do whatever pleases them,” he said referring to the ISWAP group.
In another 26-second video, Boko Haram insurgents were seen celebrating in their camp after reportedly capturing 60 ISWAP fighters including three commanders.
On Sunday, the Boko Haram faction reportedly intercepted about 60 ISWAP terrorists including three key commanders identified as Abubakar Saddiq, Abou Maimuna and Malam Idris, on their way to Damasak in Borno State.
These captives were reportedly taken to an underground prison cell at Kwatan Mota close to Dogon Chuku where they were held as prisoners of war.