The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram affiliated with the Islamic State, has released a chilling video showing the execution of three Nigerian soldiers. The graphic footage, which has been verified by reporters, depicts the soldiers being shot dead by masked insurgents in a field. The incident reportedly occurred on March 15, 2025, in Yobe State, where the soldiers were captured in the Kamuya and Azare areas.
In the video, the three soldiers are seen kneeling and introducing themselves as members of the Nigerian security forces before being executed by ISWAP fighters dressed in military fatigues. The release of the video marks a grim escalation in the terror group’s campaign of violence and psychological warfare in Nigeria’s northeast region.
ISWAP, formerly known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, has been consolidating its influence in the Lake Chad region since the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau. The group has absorbed hundreds of defectors from Shekau’s faction, significantly boosting its membership and operational capacity. Despite repeated claims by the Nigerian Army that the insurgency has been largely defeated, ISWAP continues to carry out deadly attacks, undermining security efforts in the region.
The terror group has been responsible for over 100,000 deaths and the displacement of millions of people, primarily in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states. Its tactics, which include ambushes, kidnappings, and executions, have instilled fear in local communities and posed a persistent challenge to Nigeria’s military and government.
The Nigerian Army has often downplayed its losses in the fight against insurgency, but the release of this video highlights the ongoing threat posed by ISWAP. The execution of the soldiers is a stark reminder of the group’s brutality and its ability to strike at the heart of Nigeria’s security forces.
Security analysts have warned that ISWAP’s growing influence and sophisticated propaganda efforts, including the dissemination of execution videos, are aimed at demoralizing both the military and the civilian population. The group’s ability to capture and execute soldiers also raises concerns about the effectiveness of current counter-terrorism strategies in the region.
The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the video, but the incident is likely to intensify calls for a reassessment of the country’s approach to combating terrorism. As ISWAP continues to expand its operations, the need for regional cooperation and enhanced intelligence-sharing among neighboring countries has become increasingly urgent.
The execution of the three soldiers underscores the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis in Nigeria’s northeast, where millions remain displaced and vulnerable to attacks. The international community has been urged to provide additional support to Nigeria and its neighbors in their efforts to combat terrorism and restore stability to the region.
As the video circulates online, it serves as a grim reminder of the high stakes in the fight against ISWAP and the urgent need for decisive action to end the cycle of violence and suffering in the affected areas.
