By Samuel Ike, Abuja

Fresh signs of internal turmoil have emerged within the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following reports that four members of the group’s Shura Council were executed amid an escalating leadership crisis.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed in a post on X that the four senior figures, who were reportedly arrested by fellow ISWAP members last week, were allegedly executed at the group’s Kwatan Dila enclave by a senior commander identified as Ba Shuwa.

According to the report, the executions are believed to reflect deepening divisions and growing factional rivalries within the terrorist organisation, which operates across the Lake Chad Basin region. The exact allegations against the detained council members remain unclear and could not be independently verified.

Sources indicated that the executions followed an ongoing power struggle within the group’s leadership ranks, raising concerns about internal purges and attempts by competing commanders to consolidate authority.

Security experts noted that the development comes at a time when military operations by Nigerian and regional forces have intensified pressure on terrorist leadership structures, forcing insurgent groups to contend with both external attacks and internal instability.

Makama said the incident could have far-reaching consequences for ISWAP’s command hierarchy, particularly if other senior commanders interpret the killings as part of a broader campaign to eliminate perceived rivals within the organisation.

The Shura Council traditionally serves as a key decision-making body in terrorist groups, overseeing leadership appointments, operational planning, administration and resource management. Analysts believe the reported executions therefore represent a significant disruption to ISWAP’s internal governance structure rather than a routine disciplinary measure.

Observers argue that the apparent breakdown in trust among senior members could weaken the group’s cohesion and operational effectiveness, potentially creating vulnerabilities that security forces may exploit.

Security agencies are reportedly monitoring the situation closely as part of ongoing efforts to assess developments within the terrorist organisation. Intelligence officials believe the widening divisions could provide opportunities to encourage defections, obtain valuable intelligence and further degrade the group’s capabilities.

The latest incident underscores the growing pressure facing ISWAP as sustained military offensives, leadership disputes and internal rivalries continue to challenge the group’s ability to maintain a united command structure across its areas of operation.