The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has confirmed the death of its chief photographer, videographer, and veteran raid commander, Abu Salim al-Barnawi, following a failed attack on a Nigerian military base last week.
According to intelligence reports published by security analyst, Zagazola Makama, the terrorist group circulated an internal obituary detailing his death.
Sources said he was neutralized by Nigerian troops during a failed assault on a military base in the North-East.
Makama reported that Abu Salim al-Barnawi was one of ISWAP’s most influential media operatives, serving as the group’s chief photographer and videographer.
He was responsible for documenting combat operations and producing propaganda materials used for recruitment and sustaining the group’s morale.
Before joining the group’s media unit, the deceased reportedly commanded several cross-border attacks into neighbouring Cameroon, where he led operations targeting security forces.
He later transitioned into ISWAP’s media structure, where he became a key figure in the production and dissemination of the group’s operational videos and other propaganda content.
The confirmation by ISWAP came days after Nigerian troops successfully repelled the attempted attack on the military base, killing several insurgents during the operation.
Security sources described the death of Abu Salim as a significant setback for the group’s propaganda network, given his strategic role in documenting and publicising its activities.
The sources added that the elimination of the senior operative reflects the sustained pressure being mounted on the terrorist group through ongoing military operations across the North-East.
