Army claims elimination of ISWAP chief photographer, propaganda operatives
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigerian Army has announced the elimination of a high-profile ISWAP figure identified as Abu Salim al-Barnawi, described as a former raid commander who later served as the group’s chief photographer and propaganda operative.
In a statement released on Wednesday, by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, the Army detailed the outcome of a failed terrorist attack on a military location.
“Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has confirmed the elimination of Abu Salim al-Barnawi during the failed terrorist attack on a military location last week. Further reports confirmed Abu Salim was eliminated alongside other members of the ISWAP mobile media team including Abu Umar Khattab and Abu Khalid Usman.”
The statement notes that a video camera was recovered following the incident.
It further claims the terrorist group acknowledged the death by publishing an obituary.
According to the Army, Abu Salim al-Barnawi had previously led cross-border raids into Cameroon before his reassignment to the media wing, “Intelligence indicates that Abu Salim al-Barnawi previously led cross-border terrorist raids into Cameroon before being reassigned to the group’s media wing, where he was responsible for photographing and filming terrorist attacks, producing propaganda, and glorifying the group’s atrocities.”
The operation took place during a failed infiltration attempt at Cross Kauwa on July 12, 2026.
The Army reported inflicting heavy casualties, including the elimination of other fighters such as a Syrian Arab and a Quaid named Aliyu Zabarmari.
“The elimination of Abu Salim’s led ISWAP mobile media team further underscores the devastating impact of Operation HADIN KAI’s sustained offensive operations. His elimination is another clear demonstration that the sustained offensive operations of Operation HADIN KAI are yielding tangible results,” the statement added.
