The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has confirmed the death of one of its senior commanders and chief media operative, Abu Salim al-Barnawi, who was reportedly killed during a failed attack on a Nigerian military base last week.
The development was disclosed by counter-insurgency and security analyst Zagazola Makama, who monitors insurgency activities across the Lake Chad region.
According to Makama, ISWAP circulated an obituary announcing the death of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, confirming that he was among the fighters neutralised by Nigerian troops during the attempted assault on the military formation.
Abu Salim was described as one of the terrorist group’s most influential media figures, overseeing photography and video production used to document combat operations and produce propaganda content aimed at recruitment and internal mobilisation.
Before assuming his role in ISWAP’s media unit, he reportedly led several cross-border attacks against security forces in neighbouring Cameroon before transitioning to the group’s propaganda operations.
Makama noted that Abu Salim’s death represents a significant blow to ISWAP’s media and propaganda network, given his key role in coordinating the production and distribution of the group’s operational videos and other publicity materials.
His death was confirmed days after Nigerian troops successfully repelled the attempted attack on the military base, an operation that reportedly resulted in the deaths of several ISWAP fighters and other key operatives.
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