Mounting military pressure is taking a heavy toll on insurgents as fresh intelligence reveals that fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province are grappling with severe shortages of food, fuel, and essential supplies across parts of Borno State.
Security sources say the الأزمة is most pronounced in camps within Mafa Local Government Area, particularly around Dikwa and the Sambisa Forest axis, where sustained offensives by troops of Operation Hadin Kai have disrupted supply routes and crippled logistics networks.
Intercepted communications point to worsening desperation among fighters.
A senior insurgent, identified as Abu Fatima, reportedly lamented that members of his unit had gone two days without food, while also battling shortages of fuel, tyre repair materials, and even communication airtime.
Further intelligence indicates that commanders within Sambisa have acknowledged the crisis, admitting that even their own units are awaiting fuel supplies—highlighting the widespread nature of the logistical breakdown.
Experts say the fuel scarcity is particularly damaging, as it restricts mobility, limits coordinated attacks, and leaves fighters exposed. “Once movement is constrained, insurgents become predictable and vulnerable,” a security source noted.
The situation is further compounded by isolation, with affected camps cut off from nearby civilian settlements that could serve as supply sources. Analysts warn this could push desperate fighters into targeting vulnerable communities or relying more heavily on local collaborators.
Adding to internal tensions, reports of uneven resource distribution have surfaced, with some fighters allegedly receiving new equipment while others face starvation—raising the risk of fractures within the ranks.
Military strategists say the development signals that ongoing counter-terrorism operations are beginning to yield tangible results, tightening the noose around insurgent networks in the Lake Chad Basin.
