By now, readers and followers of my website and social media will be aware of the losses that the Nigerian Army continues to sustain in it's fight against both the Islamic State in West Africa (Known as ISWA, ISWAP etc), and the "original" Shekau-led faction, JAS (Jamaat Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihad).
Since the first 3 articles I wrote dealing with ISWA and it's subsidiary, ISGS, the group has evolved it's strategy, improving it's ability to avoid air power, subvert the famed Nigerian Army "super camps", and continue the use of IED, VBIED and indirect fire weapons. The points noted in the previous articles still remain, and although ISWA has taken serious human and materiel losses, the Nigerian Army has failed to make any significant progress against the group, with NA's "Operation Tura Takaibango" (and it's successor)stuttering since February 2021. For it's side, ISWA has been busy regrouping and developing it's governance project, as JAS has taken heavy losses; including the death of Abubakar Shekau.
For those interested in NA captures from ISWA and ISWA captures from Cameroonian/Chadian/Nigerien or other forces, these will be in another post to come in the series.
In an effort to demonstrate the intensity of the conflict in the area of Lake Chad, I have formed a list of Nigerian Army, Police, and CJTF weaponry captured (and often destroyed) by ISWA since Jan 1st 2021 until December 18th 2021. The list is significant but not exhaustive- only weapons and vehicles verified on camera are listed, whereas the full amount captured is likely to be larger, particularly when dealing with smaller weapons such as rifles, hand grenades, etc. All dates given are when IS first posted images or video, not when the event happened.
This post is intended to show to the interested reader how ISWA procures it's stocks of military hardware, enabling the terrorist group to pursue both defensive and offensive complex operations, and to show visually verified destruction of NA/Police/CJTF assets.
January 2021
Jan 13th: Attack on NA in Gujba, in which 5x AKM/T56 rifles were captured and multiple vehicles were destroyed (Construction equipment mainly- Road Roller, Bulldozer, and a Grader seen on fire)
Jan 17th: Gorigi,Borno:Captured NA armoured vehicle (Seems to be based on a FV103 Spartan APC chassis, but repaired/modded) after an ambush. Fighter with a potent Bulgarian RTB-7MA thermobaric projectile. Plus PK/M, PG-7VM/S and AK-74. This vehicle was later destroyed by the NA.
Jan 19th: Gorigi, Borno: IS WA captured a new Isotrex Phantom 2 APC from the Nigerian army. They also claim 3 others destroyed, and say that the APC was later burned.
Jan 20th: IS WA pic of a destroyed Isotrex Phantom 2 APC, the 3rd confirmed destroyed so far just week(s) after their delivery. Claimed hit between Kafa & Gorigi.
Jan 20th: At least 1 more destroyed Isotrex Phantom APC in Borno. Quantities of ammo/kit captured too.
Februrary 2021
Feb 3rd 2021: Police pickups captured (x1) and destroyed (x1)
Feb 6th, 2021: Ambush on the Goniri-Gorigi road: 4x Bulgarian PG-7V (With expelling charges), partial PG-7VM, AKM-pattern rifle, T56, RPG-7, ammo, plus pickup, Isotrex Phantom APC and earthmoving equipment destroyed. Also shown in subsequent Amaq video: NSV-pattern HMG from the NA technical, and a W85 HMG from the Isotrex Phantom 2 APC
Feb 10th: Ambush between Mainok and Jakana. An NA pickup with mounted DShKM pattern HMG, plus a DJI drone, ammo, AK mags (Likely AKs unseen), metal detector, other kit.
Feb 12th: Askira Uba attack. Romanian PG-7VM and artillery shells, NA pickup. Attack was mainly foiled but there was some capture.
Feb 23rd: Kafa-Gorigi road ambush. NA pickups burning/captured, and NA troops transports burning/captured. 2x AKM, 1x Type 56 rifles with ammo captured, likely also at least one HMG unseen.
March 2021
March 1st 2021, Borno: Ambushes against NA. 3x NSV HMG, W85 HMG, multiple potent Bulgarian RHEF-7MA/LDMA, thermobaric RTB-7MA, OG-7V-pattern, PG-7V, P-7VM (Romanian), expelling charges, 3+ AKMS, quantities of ammo and magazines, 2x RPG launchers, Mine sweepers. 4 vehicles captured (3x Technicals, one with a HK21E MG), NA made troop transports.
March 15th, Borno Ambush: 2x NA Pickup (1x Burned) and 1x CJTF Pickup captured
March 21st, Goniri: 2x CJTF Pickups and simple locally made shotguns and Turkish Pump-Actions captured
April 2021
April 12th: Attack in Damasak, NA vehicle with HMG, Militia pickup, 4x4, and Ambulance captured
April 17th, Attack against NA base in Kamuya: Locally-constructed "Conqueror" vehicle, T-72AV MBT, Chinese CS/VP3 Bigfoot MRAP, OTO Melara Mod 56 105mm Pack Howitzer, 3x Toyota Technicals, 4x AKM(S)/T56 rifles, UK L16 81mm mortar with varied mortar bombs (UK L15 HE, Chinese W87 HE) Bulgarian and Romanian PG-7VM, 2x FN MAG, and additional ammo
April 19th: Attack against NA base near Dikwa. 2x BTR-3UN, Panhard AML-60, OTO Melara Mod 56 105mm Pack Howitzer, 3x NA/Police Pickup. Quantities of ammunition captured too, FN MAG, Belted 40mm, possible Mortar Bombs, Mills and Type 86P hand grenades, PG-7V/PG-7VM, 37mm launchers, 12.7mm ammo
April 26th: Raid against NA base at Maidok: 3x Isotrex Legion MRAP (2 from convoy, 1 from base), T-55, 6 Motorbikes, 3 NA pickups, Rapid Response Squad Pickup, BTR-4EN, DShKM, 4x Bulgarian MG-1M, ~10 AKM/S/T56/-1, Bulgarian PG-7V and OG-7V/OGi-7MA, 60mm Mortar, 7x O-832D/DU 82mm mortar bombs and quantities of kit/ammo/magazines.
May 2021
May 5th, Kanamma, Yobe: Otokar Cobra IMV, ERC-90 Sagaie Armoured Car, Steyr 4K 7FA APC, 3x Tehnicals with NSV and Type 85 HMG, 2x FN MAG, 2x NSV HMG, 3x AKM/T56, rare M60 MG, 3x PG-VM, 1x PG-7V, what seems to be 90mm ammo for the ERC-90, 60mm mortar bombs, ammo, mags, kit etc. Note AK-74 mags- usually from NA SF AK-74.
May 5th, Geidam town takeover (Event occurred April 25th): 1x NA pickup, 3x Local Authority vehicles
May 7th, Bulabulin attack: Steyr 4K 7FA, MT-LB APC, OTO Melara Mod 56 105mm pack howitzer, 2x NA troop transport/truck, 5+ Motorbikes (19 claimed), 6x NA Technicals, some with HMG (5 seen here)
May 7th, Bulabulin attack (Cont): 60mm, 81/82mm mortars, DShKM HMG, 2x RPG-7, 3x FN FAL, FN MAG, (Likely Bulgarian) PK-pattern MG, Norinco LG3 AGS with ammo, NSV-pattern HMG, GHO-1/GHO-2 and SHG-60? pattern nades, 4x AKM, 4x PG-7VM, additional ammo and mortar bombs. 6th NA technical also.
June 2021
June 15th: Attack against NA in Kafiya, Bama (Claimed). Capture: 2x Vickers MBT Mk 3 likely captured or destroyed, NA pickup, 2x FN MAG, 2x HK-21, MG-1M, RPG-7, grenades, RTB-7MA/PG-7V(M) w/ expelling charges, 81/2mm mortar, and large quantities of kit/ammo.
June 23rd: Attack against Chobol, NW of Maidiguri: DICON Ezugwu MRAP stripped and burned. 3/4 NA technicals, some with mounted MG/HMG stripped
June 24th, Gujba, Yobe: 3x Type 56-2 and 1x AKM pattern rifle with FAB Defense parts. Construction equipment was also burned.
June 27th, Borno (Unsure of precise location): destruction of MT-LB, 4x RPG-7/T69, RPK, NSV, AKMS, T56, 10x PG-7V, 3x OG-7V, PG-7VM/S, quantities of Pakistani (P1A1) 12.7mm ammo and other assorted ammo captured.
June 30th, Attack against the NA on the Kotembe-Bolungu road: 1x T56, 1x AKM, 3x PG-7V plus magazines, expelling charges, kit and likely RPG captured
July 2021
July 3rd: (Attack was at least partially foiled): Panhard VBL M11 vehicle with a DShK pattern HMG, T56, T56-1, FN FAL, AKM, 3x RPG-7, large quantities of ammo, plus PG-7VL, PG-7VM, PG-7V, OG-7V, RHEF-7MA/LDMA thermobarics, expelling charges, and kit
July 4th: Attack against a Nigerian Police convoy on the Auno-Jakana Road: 4 Type 56-2 rifles. Pro NA media has claimed that 2 ISWA technicals were destroyed and rifles recaptured (unverified)
July 11th: Ambush on the Dikwa-Luma road, Borno: 1x NA pickup with NSV HMG and quantities of ammo (Chinese 12.7x108 tin seen), 2x AKM pattern rifles, PG-7VM/S, Type 69 RPG, 1x RPK captured
July 15th, Attack in Lassa, Borno: NA technical and small arms ammo captured
July 17th, attack against the NA in Kawuri, Borno: Panhard AML-60, Mowag Piranha I, 4x Technicals (3x HMG, 1 being NSV). UK Vz.59, M60, and FN MAG machine guns. Quantities of ammo from different manufacturers (Pakistani and Chinese can be seen), Kit
July 18th, Lampua, Borno: 12x "Dane Guns" and Pickup from CJTF
July 18th, Damasak, Borno: NA Technical, 2x DShKM/T54 HMG, Motorbike, large quantities of P1A1 ammo and others, 2x AKM, 2x T56.
July 20th, Konduga, Borno: NA pickup, 4x Type 56 AKs, 1x UK vz. 59 machine gun, ammo
August 2021
Aug 26th, Goniri, Yobe:3x pump action shotguns, double barrel shotgun, and 3x locally made shotguns
September 19th, Ambush on the Gajiram-Monguno road: 2x pickups with HMG, 8x AKM/Type 56 variants, a CJTF shotgun, HK21[E], RPG-7, PG-7V/VM, what seems to be GHO-1/2 and other grenades, and kit.
September 25th, Ambush on the Marte-Dikwa Road: 2x PA-KA/PAC AKMS & 2x Beryl M762, 2x Type 56, FN MAG, W85, Type 54, shotguns, very large quantities of kit and ammo of various kinds, and a NA pickup
September 27th:, NA checkpoint attacked in Borno (Unsure of precise location): Technical with stripped MG, MG-1M machine gun, 1x Type 56 rife and 3x AKM pattern rifles
October 2021
October 12th, Ambush in Borno (Possibly Mairi): 1 NA technical with stripped MG, 5x PG-7V (Some Bulgarian), PG-7VM, Bulgarian RHEF-7LDMA, RPG-7, Polish/Russian AKM, FN MAG, ammo, GHO-1/2, GHD-2/3, RG-42, Mills Bomb, R-41 grenades
October 17th: Attack against NA checkpoint in Tasmukawu, E. of Ngamdu: 2x NA Technicals, Browning Hi Power, AKM, and 2x Type 56 AKs were captured, along with mags/ammo/kit
October 19th, Attack in Kumshe, Borno: W85 HMG mounted on an NA pickup, 1x Type 56-1 and an AKM pattern rifle plus kit
October 26th: Attack in Katarko, Yobe: Capture includes 2x CJTF guns, 3x AKM pattern rifles, quantities of possible grenades, 3x PG-7V, 2x PG-7VM, 3x OG-7V, 3x RPG-7, 1x T69-1, PKT, quantities of ammo/kit, and 2x vehicles plus motorbike.
October 27th, Attack in Komdi, Borno: NA technical with mounted MG, Type 56 AK, and quantities of ammo/kit
At the end of October, a large ISWA video release revealed some previously unseen capture and revealed further TTPs in use. I covered the video in a thread at the time.
[THREAD] #Nigeria: ISIS released a video covering activities of ISWA in the Lake Chad region. It's entitled "Makers of Epic Battles 5", part of a series covering IS activity in various locales.
It shows attacks in #Borno & #Yobe, mostly from the 1st half of 2021.
Capture (undated but likely from 2021) that wasn't seen previously is listed here but was likely not from October.
Capture is likely from Borno: M60, FN MAG, UK vz. 59, NSV HMG, large quantities of ammo and (Likely Yugo/Serbian) 60mm mortar bombs, a Type 56 AK
Additional capture, including Technicals, Type 85 HMG, AKM/T56, NSV, FN MAG, M60, PG-7V, PG-7VM, more HMG and small arms ammo
November 2021
November 3rd, Attack in Kwada, Borno: MT-LB (NA modifications), derelict MOWAG Piranha I, 2x NSV HMG, 2x PG-7V, Bulgarian RTB-7MA projectiles quantities of Mills Bombs (Grenades) and a large amount of magazines/HMG ammo/etc
November 10th, attack on Ngamdu-Tamsukau road in Borno: 2x AKM pattern rifles, ammo and kit
November 15th, Execution of CJTF fighters in Borno:~5 locally made shotguns/dane guns
November 17th, Ambush of a relief convoy to Askira Uba, Borno (Following an ISWA attack on the town, which was largely defeated):Steyr 4K 7FA APC (w/ PK) (Likely recaptured), Isotrex Phantom 2 APC (IED strike) & 12x AKM(S)/T56(-1) AKs, 3x PG-7V/VM projectiles, quantities of HMG ammo.
November 24th, Marte, Borno: 1x NA Technical, Steyr 4K 7FA APC destroyed, CJTF shotguns, MG3 MG, very large quantities of ammo, and mortar bombs. Likely AKs unseen.
December 2021
December 2nd, Buni Yaid, Yobe: 3x T56-2 AKs, kit. Police vehicle burned.
December 14th, Mallam Fatori, Borno: 3 or more NA vehicles, including Technical(s). Osprea Mamba MRAP destroyed by ISWA SVBIED is not included, as it was from the Nigerien Army.
Conclusions
As can be seen above, the NA, CJTF and to a lesser extent civilian police in Nigeria have suffered dramatic losses to ISWA, including to hundreds of small arms (Including assault rifles, light, medium and heavy machine guns, RPGs, mortars, handguns, etc), and vehicles including MBT (Main Battle Tanks), MRAPs, IVFs, APCS, Technicals and more. However, not all capture has been shown on camera; as an example of this, a D-30 122mm howitzer shown in use against the NA in early November was not documented in IS photosets in 2021 (and does not appear to have been shown in years prior either).
ISWA captures serve to fuel a potent battlefield force against security forces which is able to operate in a semi-conventional fashion, despite confident assurances of constant success from NA and NA-linked social media figures.
For future articles in this series, I will be covering recent battlefield innovations of ISWA (Such as truck mounting seen above), their semi-standardised troop transport programme, and more. I will also cover visually verified NA capture from ISWA, and ISWA capture from Cameroonian, Chadian and Nigerien forces.
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