Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have foiled an attempted midnight infiltration by suspected ISWAP terrorists in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several insurgents and recovering a camcorder that the military says contains evidence of foreign involvement in the group’s operations.
The Nigerian military disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3 successfully repelled the attack after detecting the insurgents as they attempted to infiltrate the military location under the cover of darkness.
According to the military, the terrorists launched the attack at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, but were met with overwhelming firepower, forcing them to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.
Military authorities said intelligence indicated the insurgents had planned to loot medical supplies meant for cholera treatment, a development they said supports recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within ISWAP camps.
The statement added that the operation led to the neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman, from whom troops recovered a Sony camcorder containing operational footage and propaganda materials.
According to preliminary forensic analysis by the military, the last video recorded before the failed attack allegedly showed the operation being coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign nationals.
The military identified the foreign operatives as a Palestinian identified as Abu Ishaq, described as ISWAP’s overall trainer, a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, who was said to be serving as a medical doctor within the terrorist network, and another Arab national whose identity is yet to be established.
The military said the findings reinforce intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from foreign facilitators and transnational terrorist networks. The claims have not been independently verified.
Following the gun battle, troops conducted exploitation operations and recovered the camcorder, terrorist uniforms, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, and other combat equipment.
The military also said satellite imagery and human intelligence indicated that the fleeing insurgents evacuated the bodies of some of those killed during the encounter, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Two soldiers sustained gunshot injuries during the firefight and were airlifted for medical treatment. The military said both personnel are in stable condition.
Operation HADIN KAI said the failed assault represents another major setback for ISWAP, stressing that troops would continue sustained offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring lasting peace across Nigeria’s North East.
