Armed group profile · SD Strength Index
ISWAP and Boko Haram: military strength 2026
How strong are ISWAP and Boko Haram in 2026?
They are two rival factions, scored together because they fight the same war in northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad basin. They also fight each other. ISWAP, the Islamic State West Africa Province, is hierarchical, with a shura, provincial governors, its own taxes and courts, and links to Islamic State central. Boko Haram's JAS, led by its Bakura faction, is more erratic and predatory.
The index puts them behind al-Shabaab and the Tigray Defense Forces and just ahead of JNIM. Over a decade of continuous combat counts for a lot. Light weapons, the feud between the factions and fresh pressure from Nigeria and the US in 2026 hold them back.
How many fighters do ISWAP and Boko Haram have?
No verified count exists for 2025 or 2026. Silent Dossier estimates about 8,000 across both, within 5,000 to 14,000. Earlier estimates put ISWAP alone at 4,000 to 7,000, and later figures reportedly reached 8,000 to 12,000, though they remain unverified. JAS is estimated at 1,000 to 2,000.
ISWAP's structured fighting units, put at 3,000 to 6,000, are the closest thing either side has to a professional force. Around them are local auxiliaries on the Lake Chad islands and in Sambisa, part time and uncounted.
What weapons do ISWAP and Boko Haram have?
Gun trucks, small arms, RPGs and heavy machine guns mounted for air defence, most captured from Nigerian and multinational task force units or smuggled in. Mortars and the odd captured gun give fire out to 5 to 20 km at most. Captured MRAPs and other armoured vehicles have appeared, and past raids showed up to five captured tanks, none confirmed operational. Both factions use car bombs and roadside bombs. Neither has aircraft or missiles, and no air defence missiles have been confirmed. Motorised boats and canoes carry them across Lake Chad.
ISWAP has flown drones for surveillance since about 2020 and armed commercial quadcopters from December 2024, first against FOB Wajiroko. Islamic State central has reportedly given technical help. In January 2026 about 35 new drones reportedly reached ISWAP across Lake Chad, a number that rests on a single press report. That month armed drones struck the Damboa area and the Sabon Gari base, where 11 or more personnel were reported killed.
What happened in the war against ISWAP in 2026?
ISWAP had raided Nigerian army supercamps throughout 2023 to 2025. On 5 and 6 March 2026 it overran four bases in Borno; independent counts put the troops killed above 65 and about 300 civilians abducted, while the army says the attacks were repelled. In April a campaign it called 'Camp Holocaust' hit Benisheikh, Pulka and Mungono, and a brigadier general was reported killed at Benisheikh, a death not officially confirmed.
The US joined the fight in 2026. About 200 American troops had arrived to advise and train by the middle of February, and joint US and Nigerian raids and airstrikes in May killed senior ISWAP leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki and the group's media chief. Nigeria's defence headquarters claimed 175 ISWAP and JAS fighters killed by 18 May. Most US troops left on 3 July, with intelligence support kept in place. On 26 October the military claimed another 16 ISWAP fighters killed in Lake Chad strikes.
The factions also fight each other. JAS attacked ISWAP's island bases by boat in November 2025, setting off heavy fighting on the lake.
Who backs ISWAP and Boko Haram?
Islamic State is ISWAP's only foreign backer, with guidance and money reportedly routed through IS regional offices. JAS has none on record. Both live off the land, through taxes on farming, fishing and trade around Lake Chad, extortion, kidnapping and stocks looted from the military.
ISWAP holds the Lake Chad islands and much of rural northern Borno, including the Timbuktu Triangle and Alagarno, and is active in Yobe and Adamawa. JAS operates from Sambisa, the Mandara mountains and parts of the lake.
Key figures
| Fighters | 5,000–14k | C |
| Full-time trained core | 3,000–6,000 | C |
| Ballistic missiles | 0 | B |
| Cruise and anti-ship missiles | 0 | B |
| Longest strike range (km) | 5–20 | C |
| Drones | ~35 | C |
| Tanks | 0–5 | C |
| Aircraft | 0 | B |
A confirmed B strong estimate C estimated range
Main weapons
| Commercial quadcopters converted to drop mortar bombs/grenades | ~35 | C |
| Gun trucks, small arms, RPGs, AA machine guns | — | B |
| VBIEDs / IEDs | — | A |
| Motorised boats and canoes | — | C |
Assessment
| Firepower | 2/5 | |
| Cohesion and command | 3/5 | |
| Outside support | 2/5 | |
| Combat experience | 5/5 | |
| Professionalism | 3/5 |
Backers. Islamic State
Ground. ISWAP holds islands on Lake Chad and much of rural northern Borno, with activity in Yobe and Adamawa. JAS operates from the Sambisa forest, the Mandara mountains and parts of Lake Chad.
Professional or irregular. ISWAP is hierarchical, with a shura, provincial governors, courts and taxation, and links to Islamic State central; an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 fighters serve in its structured units. The rival JAS faction of Boko Haram is smaller and more erratic, and the two fight each other.
What changed in 2026
Questions readers ask
Are ISWAP and Boko Haram the same group?
No. ISWAP is Islamic State's West Africa affiliate, while Boko Haram's JAS faction runs separately and is more erratic. The two fight each other as well as the Nigerian state.
How many fighters does ISWAP have?
No verified 2026 count exists. Silent Dossier estimates about 8,000 across ISWAP and JAS combined, with ISWAP the larger faction and 3,000 to 6,000 in its structured fighting units.
Does ISWAP use drones?
Yes. It has used drones for surveillance since about 2020 and armed them from December 2024. About 35 new drones reportedly reached it across Lake Chad in January 2026.
Is the US fighting ISWAP?
It did in 2026. US troops joined Nigerian raids and airstrikes in May that killed senior leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, and most withdrew on 3 July while intelligence support continued.
Where does ISWAP get its money?
Mostly from taxing farming, fishing and trade around Lake Chad, plus extortion, kidnapping and looted military stocks. Islamic State reportedly adds guidance and funds through its regional offices.