Fact-check: Nigerian military's video evidence for ISWAP operative's death is seven years old

The Nigerian military announced on July 12 that its troops killed Abu Salim al-Barnawi, identifying him as a media operative and former terror commander for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The military stated that al-Barnawi had become one of ISWAP's chief photographers and propaganda operatives. They presented screenshots from a video, purportedly an ISWAP obituary, as evidence of the group acknowledging his death, aiming to showcase the effectiveness of Operation Hadin Kai.

According to the military's acting spokesperson, Mohammed Goni, the killing of al-Barnawi reflected the "deterioration of the insurgents’ media machinery" and the "growing difficulty the terrorists face in replacing experienced operatives." He claimed that troops had repelled an ISWAP night attack in Borno State, killing an unnamed ISWAP cameraman and recovering a Sony camcorder containing intelligence. Footage from this camera allegedly showed the attack was coordinated by senior ISWAP commanders and foreign terrorist facilitators.

However, an independent investigation by PREMIUM TIMES has revealed that the video evidence cited by the military is approximately seven years old. This footage predates the operation in which al-Barnawi was allegedly killed. The military's claim has circulated widely on social media, garnering significant engagement.

PREMIUM TIMES conducted a frame-by-frame examination of the video and analyzed its production markers. The findings indicate that the video was produced long before the recent military operation. The discrepancy between the military's claims and the age of the evidence casts doubt on the accuracy of the announcement regarding the death of Abu Salim al-Barnawi.

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The publication is a direct confirmation of the increasing pressure being exerted by Operation HADIN KAI. It also reflects the growing difficulty the terrorists face in replacing experienced operatives who have been systematically eliminated through sustained military operations.