(SINL NIGERIA) The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has confirmed the killing of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP operative who served as the terrorist group’s chief photographer and propaganda commander, during a failed attack on a military position in Borno State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, in Maiduguri on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Abu Salim was killed alongside members of the ISWAP mobile media team, identified as Abu Umar Khattab and Abu Khalid Usman, during the failed terrorist infiltration of Cross Kauwa on July 12.
OPHK maintained that the terrorist organisation has since published an obituary acknowledging Abu Salim’s death, a development the military said confirms the effectiveness of its sustained offensive operations against insurgent leaders.
Additionally, the military recalled that a video camera was recovered from the scene alongside other items during the operation, corroborating an earlier official statement on the failed attack.
Security sources said Abu Salim was previously a commander who led cross-border terrorist raids into neighbouring Cameroon before being reassigned to ISWAP’s media unit. In his new role, he was responsible for documenting attacks, producing propaganda videos and photographs, and promoting extremist narratives aimed at recruiting new members and projecting the group’s activities.
OPHK further disclosed that the failed assault on Cross Kauwa resulted in heavy losses for the terrorists, with several senior fighters killed. Those neutralised included a Syrian national, a commander identified as Aliyu Zabarmari, while another Arab mercenary remains missing.
“Several other insurgents reportedly sustained severe injuries while retreating under intense military fire”.
The Joint Task Force said the elimination of Abu Salim and his media team represents a major blow to ISWAP’s operational and propaganda capabilities, significantly weakening its command structure and ability to coordinate attacks and spread extremist ideology.
According to the military, the publication of an obituary by the terrorist group reflects the growing pressure being exerted by Operation HADIN KAI and the increasing difficulty faced by the insurgents in replacing experienced operatives eliminated during ongoing military offensives.
OPHK reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations to eliminate the remaining Boko Haram and ISWAP elements, dismantle their operational and propaganda networks, and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.
