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Boko Haram releases a rare obituary video confirming the death of its media operative, Abu Salim al-Barnawi, following his elimination by Nigerian troops in Borno State.
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The slain insurgent, described by the military as the terrorist group’s cameraman and propagandist, was killed during a failed Boko Haram assault on a military base in the Lake Chad Basin.
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Operation HADIN KAI says Al-Barnawi previously led cross-border attacks into Cameroon before joining Boko Haram’s media unit, where he documented and promoted the group’s activities.
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Security experts say the loss of a key propaganda operative is a significant setback for Boko Haram’s media machinery as Nigerian forces intensify counter-insurgency operations across the North-East.
July 22 , (THEWILL) — Terror group, Boko Haram has publicly acknowledged the death of one of its key media operatives, Abu Salim al-Barnawi, by releasing a video obituary following his killing by Nigerian troops during a failed attack on a military base in Borno State.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday by the Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, who shared excerpts of the terrorist group’s tribute video on his official communication platforms.
According to Goni, Al-Barnawi was among the terrorists neutralised by Nigerian forces during a fierce battle last week after Boko Haram fighters launched an unsuccessful assault on a military formation in the Lake Chad Basin area.
“He was smoked last week by the Nigerian Army when the terrorist group attacked a Nigerian military camp,” Goni wrote.
He added that the slain insurgent served as the group’s cameraman and media propagandist, noting that Al-Barnawi had previously participated in cross-border attacks in neighbouring Cameroon before being deployed to Boko Haram’s media unit.
Military Pressure Forces Boko Haram to Mourn Key Operative
The three-minute, three-second obituary video released by Boko Haram reportedly features Al-Barnawi handling various communication devices and recording insurgent activities before his death.
The footage is believed to have been produced by the group to honour the deceased operative and boost the morale of its remaining fighters.
Military analysts say the loss of experienced media operatives can significantly disrupt the propaganda machinery of terrorist organisations, which rely heavily on videos and online messaging to recruit fighters, intimidate communities, and project operational strength.
Last week, Nigerian military authorities announced that troops of Operation HADIN KAI repelled a coordinated Boko Haram attack on a military position in the Lake Chad Basin, killing scores of insurgents and recovering weapons and other items.
Among those reportedly eliminated during the encounter was the group’s videographer, whose identity has now been confirmed by the insurgents themselves through the obituary video.
Counter-Insurgency Campaign Records Fresh Gains
The latest development comes as Nigerian troops continue sustained offensive operations against Boko Haram and its rival faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), across Borno and other parts of the North-East.
In recent months, the military has intensified air and ground offensives targeting terrorist enclaves in the Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle, and the Lake Chad Basin, leading to the elimination of several commanders, the rescue of kidnapped victims, and the destruction of logistics hubs.
Security experts have long identified Boko Haram’s media arm as a critical component of the group’s operations, responsible for producing propaganda videos, documenting attacks, and disseminating messages aimed at inspiring recruits and maintaining the group’s visibility despite mounting battlefield losses.
The emergence of the obituary video is being viewed as a rare public admission by the insurgents of the death of one of their media personnel, further highlighting the impact of recent military operations against the terrorist group.
Boko Haram has waged an insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East since 2009, with the conflict later spreading into Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
The violence has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions of people, and triggered one of Africa’s worst humanitarian crises.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
