Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralized an Islamic State West Africa Province cameraman and recovered video recordings that reveal the presence of three foreign terrorist facilitators within the country. The foreign nationals include a Palestinian man who is identified as the training coordinator for the group and a Moroccan citizen who operates as a medical doctor for the insurgent network. The Acting Military Information Officer for the Joint Task Force North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, disclosed this development in an official statement released on Sunday.
According to the military officer, the operational breakthrough occurred on Saturday after the frontline troops successfully blocked an infiltration attempt by ISWAP members into Cross Kauwa, located in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The insurgents tried to take advantage of the dark hours to bypass the defensive lines of the troops and steal medical supplies meant for cholera treatment.
Captain Goni stated, "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." He further explained that a detailed review of the recovered items exposed the identities of the foreign coordinators who are aiding the local insurgent network in the region.
Regarding the contents of the recovered electronic device, Goni noted, "Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded before the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators." He added that these international operatives have specialized roles within the criminal network to enhance their combat operations.
Detailing the profiles of the foreign suspects seen in the video clips, Goni stated, "They include a Palestinian identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established," The military authorities emphasized that the active participation of these international actors validates existing intelligence that the insurgent group relies heavily on external logistical support, specialized knowledge, and cross-border criminal networks.
The tactical statement explained that the aborted raid happened at approximately 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the armed fighters attempted to catch the security forces off guard. Goni noted, "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," The military indicated that the desperate attempt to steal medical supplies confirms recent intelligence pointing to a major cholera outbreak inside the terrorist camps, alongside reports that the leadership of the group had executed some infected members.
The official statement further noted, "Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, 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." It added, "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." Following the heavy gun battle, the troops secured the immediate environment. The statement noted, "Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses."
During the post-clash search operations, the security forces recovered the video recorder, several rounds of PKT ammunition, 7.62mm special ammunition, insurgent uniforms, and various pieces of combat gear left behind by the fleeing radicals. The military spokesperson added that a review of subsequent satellite photos captured after the encounter showed the insurgents moving the corpses of their dead colleagues away from the battlefield as they escaped.
Goni stated, "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," The military confirmed that two Nigerian soldiers sustained injuries from gunshots during the intense exchange of fire. The wounded personnel were immediately evacuated via air transport to receive advanced clinical treatment, and both are currently in stable medical condition.
The army spokesperson emphasized that the failed infiltration represents a massive blow to the strategic goals of the group in the region. Goni remarked, "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 concluded by reiterating the absolute dedication of the armed forces to ending the insurgency completely, stating, "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,"
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