Nigeria confirms death of Iswap leader Abu Musab al-Barnawi

Nigeria’s military has announced the death of Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the head of the West African branch of the Islamic State group.

“He is dead and remains dead,” said Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor.

Gen Irabor did not give any details of the circumstances of Barnawi’s death, which was first reported in September.

The Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap) has not commented on the claims.

Iswap has been seen as the strongest jihadist group in Nigeria since the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau earlier this year.

Since then, thousands of Boko Haram fighters have surrendered both to the military and reportedly to Iswap.