By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
A suspected cleric of the Islamic State West Africa Province has issued a chilling threat to launch a retaliatory attack on Malam Fatori, days after terrorists suffered heavy losses in a failed assault on March 18, 2026.
Intelligence sources disclosed that the cleric, who reportedly led Eid-el-Fitr prayers near Sabon Tumbu, warned during his sermon that the group would strike back at Nigerian troops operating in Malam Fatori. He allegedly declared that the town could be “reduced to ashes,” a threat security analysts say must be taken seriously.
Sources noted that insurgent groups linked to ISWAP have a history of executing such threats, often deploying coordinated attacks with heavy firepower, including vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs).
Located in Borno State, Malam Fatori has earned a formidable reputation as a stronghold of military resistance, consistently repelling insurgent incursions. The town is widely regarded by troops as the “Graveyard of ISWAP” due to repeated battlefield victories against террорист fighters.
Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces, supported by other security agencies, have since heightened alert levels, reinforced defensive positions, and intensified intelligence and surveillance operations across the axis.
Military sources emphasized that operational readiness has been significantly boosted, assuring that any attempted attack would be met with overwhelming force.
“History has shown that insurgents pay a heavy price when they attempt to overrun well-defended locations like Malam Fatori,” a source said, adding that troops remain vigilant and fully prepared to neutralise any threat.
