Troops repel ISWAP attack in Borno, recover camcorder linked to foreign operatives

By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3 of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have repelled an attempted infiltration by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters into Cross Kauwa community in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The military said the attackers suffered heavy casualties and were forced to retreat after encountering intense resistance from troops.

Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

According to him, the incident occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, when the insurgents allegedly attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ location.

He said vigilant troops detected the movement and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing the attackers to abandon the operation and withdraw.

Goni said preliminary findings suggested the attackers intended to loot cholera medical supplies, a development he said was consistent with intelligence reports indicating a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves.

He added that previous intelligence also suggested that some insurgents affected by the disease had been executed by the group.

The military spokesman said troops recovered a Sony camcorder following the operation after a suspected terrorist cameraman was neutralised during the encounter.

According to him, the device contained operational footage and propaganda materials.

He said preliminary forensic analysis of the recordings indicated that the failed operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders, with the alleged involvement of three foreign terrorist facilitators.

The statement identified the foreign operatives as a Palestinian identified as Abu Ishaq, described as an ISWAP trainer; a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, said to be a medical doctor within the group; and another unidentified Arab operative.

Goni said the findings reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from foreign support, specialised expertise and transnational terrorist links.

Following the encounter, troops conducted exploitation operations in the area and recovered the camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other items.

He added that post-engagement satellite imagery and human intelligence indicated that the insurgents evacuated the bodies of some of those killed during the attack, while several others sustained gunshot wounds.

According to the statement, two soldiers were injured during the exchange of fire and were evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment. They were said to be in stable condition.

Goni said the failed infiltration represented another setback for ISWAP amid sustained military operations across the North-East.

He reaffirmed that Operation HADIN KAI would continue offensive operations aimed at protecting communities and dismantling terrorist networks across the region.

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