Internal paranoia and distrust have intensified within the leadership of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following the arrest and detention of four high-ranking Shura Council members by the group’s Lake Chad leader, Ba Shuwa.

Intelligence sources revealed to Zagazola Makama that the arrests were carried out by ISWAP’s internal intelligence unit, the *Amniyya*, after a surveillance operation.

The detained leaders are accused of listening to “subversive” psychological operations audio broadcasts distributed by the Nigerian military to encourage defection and dissent.

Those detained include:

* Mallam Burin: A highly influential field commander (*Qaid*) among fighters in the Lake Chad islands.

* Babakura Wanjam: A prominent cleric responsible for the group’s ideological guidance.

* Abu Huraira & Mallam Ari Kara: Senior members of ISWAP’s governing Shura Council.

The detention of these key figures has sparked anxiety and confusion across ISWAP’s ranks. Security analysts regard the move as a strong indicator of deepening structural fractures, signaling that sustained military pressure and targeted psychological campaigns are successfully eroding the group’s internal cohesion.

Security agencies are actively monitoring the situation to locate the detainees and exploit the growing leadership crisis, which could further damage fighter morale, disrupt command networks, and spur defections.