The Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP), a faction of the Boko Haram terrorist group, has appointed Amir Goni Maina as the new ‘Governor of the Lake Chad’.
POLITICS NIGERIA understands that Lake Chad region comprises of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic. According to Counter-terrorism and organised crime specialist, David Otto, the terrorist group appointed Maina after Amir Baba Kaka was recently sacked as the Governor in a massive jihadist Leadership shake-up.
Otto noted that Maina was the former Chief Judge of Boko Haram /ISWAP faction. He replaced Muhammad Shuwa after he was killed in a Nigerian Army and Air-Force military bombardment.
He said: “Goni Maina replaced Amir Baba Kaka. Recall that Baba Kaka was recently sacked as the Governor in a massive jihadist Leadership shake-up after escaping an assassination attempt by his own commanders. The Shura council and AZWAJ advisors/sponsors from Mali and Libya accused Baba Kaka of failing to command and control unit commanders and also of severe leadership weakness to prevent ground and aerial coordinated onslaught against jihadist strongholds in the axis of the Lake Chad by the Nigerian Army, the Chadian Army and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) troops.
“Before his latest appointment, Amir Goni Maina was the Chief Judge of Boko Haram/ISWAP faction. He replaced Muhammad Shuwa after he was eliminated in a Nigerian Army and Air-Force military bombardment.”
Otto continued that “a new Chief Judge, known as Amir Malumma, was appointed to take over from Goni Maina. During the early ISWAP Leadership of Abu Musab Al Barnawi and veteran Mamman Nur, Amir Goni Maina held the position of the Governor of the Lake Chad but was a casualty when things hit the fan in Barnawi era which led to the ascension of Ba Idrissa (also killed by his commanders).”