The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has confirmed the death of a prominent member of its Shura Council, Abu Yahya Al-Muhajir, describing it as a major loss to the group.

The confirmation was contained in a statement and propaganda material circulated by the group, in which it mourned the deceased and referred to his death as its “greatest loss in recent times” within the Malam Fatori axis.

Security sources said Al-Muhajir was reportedly linked to recent operations in the Lake Chad Basin, although it remains unclear whether he was killed during a failed attack on Malam Fatori or as a result of a subsequent airstrike in the same general area.

The sources further indicated that the ISWAP attack on Malam Fatori was repelled by troops, with about 80 terrorists reportedly killed during the encounter and follow-up operations.

They added that the group’s internal communication suggested that Al-Muhajir either sustained fatal injuries during the failed offensive or died later from wounds sustained in the aftermath of military strikes.

Counter-insurgency expert,

Zagazola Makama reports that the 18 March, 2026, failed attack left about 84 ISWAP members killed with many others who sustained injuries. (Zagazola, excluding headline)