Over 23 terrorists have reportedly died in renewed deadly fighting between rival Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) groups in the Sambisa Forest region of Borno State.

According to a report by counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama, the latest altercation was said to have happened around the Chingolo axis of Bama Local Government Area as Boko Haram attackers targeted ISWAP men as they were making their way into the area.

The latest fighting comes as part of a new surge of violence between the two competing terrorist groups that has been taking place since roughly two days ago, Makama said.

The footage suggested the fighting was more prolonged and showed both sides were firing shots at each other as they tried to establish their dominance and stop the other side from spreading its influence in the forest, he said.