By Adekunle Dada

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has released a video showing the execution of about 20 Nigerian Christian civilians in Borno State, BBC reports.

In the video, one of the masked militants who spoke in Hausa language during the execution said it was to avenge the killing of the group’s leaders in the Middle East earlier in the year.

The video was published on an IS-linked news outlet and shows three groups of captives in civilian clothes.

The time of the video and location of execution is however unknown.

Nigerian authorities are yet to speak on the video. However, its authenticity has been confirmed by SITE Intelligence.

The IS militants operate in the Lake Chad region under the name Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), along with another Islamist militant group, Boko Haram. The group has recently suffered huge losses as a result of attacks by a multi-national military force.

Boko Haram jihadist group in June 2021 confirmed the death of its chief Abubakar Shekau, who sources say died during infighting with the rival Islamic State-allied faction, according to a video message from its presumed new commander.

Shekau’s death has since caused a huge division amongst the ranks of Boko Haram with some of its commanders pleading loyalty to ISWAP.