Cholera Outbreak Kills Nine ISWAP Fighters in Borno Terrorist Hideout — Intelligence Sources

A reported cholera outbreak has claimed the lives of nine fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Timbuktu Triangle, one of the group’s major strongholds in Borno State, according to intelligence sources.

The development was disclosed by security analyst Zagazola Makama in a post on X, citing intelligence reports that the disease has spread across several ISWAP camps in the area, highlighting deteriorating sanitary conditions and limited access to healthcare within the insurgents’ enclaves.

According to the sources, the outbreak has exposed growing health challenges inside the terrorist camps, where fighters are reportedly struggling to access medical treatment due to sustained military operations targeting the group’s logistics and supply routes.

The intelligence reports also alleged that two infected ISWAP members were executed by fellow fighters after attempts to manage their condition at Kimba village failed. The claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no official confirmation from the Nigerian military.

Security sources said the worsening health situation reflects the increasing pressure on the insurgent group as military offensives continue to disrupt access to medicines, healthcare personnel and treatment facilities in remote hideouts.

“The development points to worsening health conditions within the terrorist hideouts, where sustained military pressure has disrupted logistics, including access to medicines and treatment facilities,” the intelligence sources reportedly stated.

The sources further revealed that military commanders have been encouraged to intensify efforts to intercept medical supplies and pharmaceutical products suspected of being destined for terrorist camps, with the aim of further weakening ISWAP’s medical capacity and operational effectiveness.

The Timbuktu Triangle, located in the Sambisa Forest axis of Borno State, has long served as a strategic base for insurgent groups. Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai have continued offensive operations in the area as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks in the North-East.