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

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have repelled an attempted attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on Cross Kauwa community in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, recovering a camcorder said to contain operational footage linked to foreign terrorist operatives.

The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the attempted infiltration occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday when the insurgents tried to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.

He said vigilant troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, detected the movement and engaged the attackers with coordinated firepower, forcing them to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.

According to Goni, preliminary intelligence indicated that the terrorists planned to loot cholera medical supplies in the community, a move believed to be linked to reports of a cholera outbreak within ISWAP enclaves.

He added that intelligence reports also suggested that some insurgents infected with the disease had been executed by the group.

The military spokesman said troops recovered a Sony camcorder after neutralising a suspected terrorist cameraman during the encounter.

He explained that preliminary forensic analysis of the device revealed operational footage and propaganda materials, with indications that the failed attack was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.

According to him, the foreign operatives include 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 terrorist group; and another unidentified Arab operative.

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

He disclosed that exploitation operations conducted after the encounter also led to the recovery of several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other items.

The statement added that satellite imagery and human intelligence obtained after the operation indicated that the insurgents evacuated the bodies of some of those killed, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Goni said two soldiers sustained injuries during the exchange of fire and were evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment. He noted that both personnel were in stable condition.

He reaffirmed that Operation HADIN KAI would sustain offensive operations across the North-East to protect communities and dismantle terrorist networks operating in the region.