Odita Sunday 
Troops Repel ISWAP Attack in Borno, Recover Camcorder Linking Foreign Terror Facilitators
By Odita Sunday
Troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several insurgents, recovering sensitive operational materials and uncovering preliminary evidence suggesting the involvement of foreign terrorist facilitators in the failed assault.
The development was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, who said the attack was successfully repelled while preliminary forensic findings from recovered items pointed to the participation of foreign operatives within the terrorist network.
According to the statement, the terrorists launched the attack at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in an attempt to infiltrate the military location under the cover of darkness. However, vigilant troops detected the movement early and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, forcing the insurgents to abandon their mission and retreat after suffering heavy casualties.
The military said the terrorists had intended to loot cholera medical supplies, a move it noted further supports recent intelligence reports indicating a cholera outbreak within ISWAP enclaves, as well as reports that some infected members of the group had been executed by the terrorists.
During the operation, troops neutralised a terrorist cameraman and recovered a Sony camcorder containing operational footage and propaganda materials.
Preliminary forensic analysis of the device revealed that the failed operation was allegedly coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds) alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
The statement identified the foreign operatives as a Palestinian Arab, Abu Ishaq, believed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab, Abu Thaiba, described as a medical doctor working within the terrorist network; and another unidentified Arab operative. The military said their involvement reinforces intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to receive external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist backing.
Following the encounter, troops conducted exploitation operations across the area and recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment.
According to the military, satellite imagery obtained after the engagement showed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their slain fighters during their withdrawal. It added that credible human intelligence sources later confirmed that the insurgents suffered heavy casualties, while many others sustained gunshot wounds.
The statement also disclosed that two soldiers were wounded during the firefight. They were evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment and are currently in stable condition.
Operation HADIN KAI described the failed infiltration as another major setback for ISWAP, saying it capped a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained military offensives across the North East.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are restored across the region.
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