Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cameraman and recovered a video camera containing footage that points to the involvement of three foreign facilitators within the terrorist group in Borno State.
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 Goni, the breakthrough followed a failed attempt by ISWAP fighters to infiltrate Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area on Saturday night.
He explained that the terrorists, who moved under the cover of darkness, were attempting to overrun the troops’ position and steal cholera medical supplies.
“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 statement read.
Goni said the attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, but soldiers detected the movement early and responded with coordinated firepower.
“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 said.
He noted that the attempted theft of medical supplies supports recent intelligence suggesting a cholera outbreak within ISWAP camps, as well as reports that some infected members were executed by the group.
During the operation, troops neutralised an ISWAP cameraman and recovered a Sony camcorder containing operational recordings and propaganda materials.
“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,” Goni stated.
He added that preliminary forensic examination of the latest video on the device showed that the failed operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders, known as Qai’ds, alongside three foreign facilitators.
The military identified one of them as Abu Ishaq, a Palestinian Arab believed to be the group’s chief trainer. Another, Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan Arab, was identified as a medical doctor working with the terrorist network, while the identity of a third Arab operative is still being investigated.
According to Goni, the discovery reinforces intelligence indicating that ISWAP continues to receive external support, specialist expertise and assistance through transnational terrorist links.
Following the encounter, troops secured the area and launched exploitation operations to determine the extent of the terrorists’ losses.
Items recovered from the scene included the Sony camcorder, PKT ammunition, 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat-related materials.
The Army spokesman also revealed that post-battle satellite imagery showed the terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their fighters as they retreated.
“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.
Goni disclosed that two soldiers sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire and were airlifted for advanced medical treatment. He said both personnel are in stable condition.
He described the failed infiltration as another major setback for ISWAP, noting that it followed sustained military offensives that have increased pressure on the group 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 said.
He added that the outcome reflects the growing challenges facing the terrorists in carrying out coordinated attacks against well-prepared troops.
“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,” Goni assured.