Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have eliminated an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cameraman during a failed terrorist assault in Borno State, with intelligence recovered from the operation revealing the involvement of foreign nationals allegedly providing training and medical support to the extremist group.
Military authorities said the operation also uncovered video recordings identifying three foreign facilitators, including a Palestinian believed to be an instructor and a Moroccan serving as a medical doctor within the terrorist network.
The Acting Military Information Officer of Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to the military, the operation followed an attempted infiltration by ISWAP fighters into Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area on Saturday night.
Goni explained that the insurgents sought to exploit darkness to penetrate the military position and cart away cholera medical supplies.
He said, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.
“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.”
The military said the attempted attack occurred at approximately 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, but alert troops detected the movement of the insurgents before they could breach the defensive position.
According to Goni, “Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses.”
He noted that the failed attempt to steal medical supplies lends further support to recent intelligence indicating that a cholera outbreak may be affecting terrorist camps, with reports suggesting some infected members had been executed by the group.
During the engagement, troops killed an ISWAP cameraman and recovered a Sony camcorder containing operational footage and propaganda materials believed to belong to the terrorist organisation.
Goni disclosed that preliminary examination of the recordings revealed significant intelligence.
“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials.
“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators. They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” he said.
The military said the discovery reinforces intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from transnational links and foreign expertise.
According to the spokesman, “Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses.”
Items recovered during the operation included the Sony camcorder, terrorist uniforms, several rounds of PKT ammunition, 7.62mm Special ammunition and other combat-related materials.
Goni also disclosed that post-operation satellite imagery showed insurgents evacuating bodies of their dead fighters from the battlefield.
“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement,” he said.
The military, however, confirmed that two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire.
According to the statement, both personnel were immediately airlifted for specialised medical treatment and remain in stable condition.
Goni described the outcome as another major operational blow to ISWAP, saying the latest setback followed sustained military offensives that have continued to weaken the group’s operational capabilities across the North-East.
“The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East Theatre,” he stated.
He added that the operation highlights the increasing difficulty insurgents face in carrying out coordinated attacks against military formations.
Reaffirming the military’s commitment to the counter-insurgency campaign, Goni said, “Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North East.”
(Ripples)