The Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) insurgent group has confirmed the death of their Chief Photographer, Abu Salim al-Barnawi, who was neutralised during a foiled attack on a military base.
Abu Salim was reportedly eliminated alongside other members of the ISWAP mobile media team including Abu Umar Khattab and Abu Khalid Usman by troops of the North East Joint Task Force, also known as Operation HAIDN KAI, during the foiled raid last week.
Recall that a video camera was recovered among other items, indicating the death of the insurgents’ cameraman.
ISWAP, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Operation Hadin Kai’s Acting Military Information Officer, Mohammed Goni, has now been compelled to acknowledge Abu Salim’s death through the publication of an obituary.
This, according to Goni, exposed yet another significant loss within the ISWAP’s dwindling ranks.
Intelligence indicates that Abu Salim 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 in an attempt to recruit impressionable individuals and deceive the public.
The elimination of Abu Salim’s led ISWAP mobile media team during the failed infiltration attempt at Cross Kauwa on 12 July 2026, further underscores the devastating impact of Operation HADIN KAI’s sustained offensive operations.
During the failed attack, troops inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists, eliminating several high-profile fighters including a Syrian Arab, a Quaid named Aliyu Zabarmari while another Arab mercenary remains missing till date.
Several other key fighters sustained severe injuries as they fled under intense military pressure.
Meanwhile, the death of Abu Salim, the troops maintained, weakened the propaganda apparatus of ISWAP
‘His elimination is another clear demonstration that the sustained offensive operations of Operation HADIN KAI are yielding tangible results.
‘The loss of such seasoned operatives further degrades the terrorists’ operational capability, weakens their propaganda apparatus, erodes their command structure, and diminishes their ability to spread extremist narratives and fabricate an illusion of strength.
‘The issuance of an obituary by the terrorist group is a direct confirmation of the increasing pressure being exerted by Operation HADIN KAI.’ The military spokesperson wrote.
Goni added that the elimination of Abu Salim’s death has eroded the insurgents’ capacity to inspire new recruit and coordiante attack.
‘It also reflects the growing difficulty the terrorists face in replacing experienced operatives who have been systematically eliminated through sustained military operations.
‘As their ranks continue to shrink and their propaganda machinery deteriorates, the group’s capacity to inspire, recruit, and coordinate attacks is steadily being eroded.
‘Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in maintaining relentless, intelligence-driven offensive operations to hunt down and eliminate the remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP, dismantle their support and propaganda networks, deny them freedom of action, and ensure the complete restoration of peace and security across the North East region.’ He said.