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Operation Hadin Kai troops have eliminated an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cameraman during a failed terrorist attack in Borno State, and intelligence obtained from the operation revealed the involvement of foreign nationals suspected of providing training and medical support to the extremist group.
Military authorities said the operation also uncovered video footage that identified three foreign facilitators, including a Palestinian believed to be an instructor and a Moroccan who served as a doctor in the terrorist network.
Acting Military Information of the North East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to the military, the operation followed an infiltration attempt by ISWAP fighters into Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area on Saturday evening.
Goni explained that the rebels were trying to take advantage of the darkness to penetrate military positions and take away cholera medical supplies.
He said, “Troops of Brigade 19, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have resolutely thwarted the attempted infiltration of 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.
“The successful defense of these locations further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of forces that continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action in the Northeast Theater.”
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The military said the attempted attack occurred at around 22:20 on July 11, 2026, but alert troops detected the insurgents’ movements before they could penetrate the defensive positions.
According to Goni, “The alert troops quickly detected enemy movements and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, forcing the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and retreat in confusion after suffering heavy losses.”
He noted that the failed attempt to steal medical supplies lends further support to recent intelligence indicating that a cholera outbreak may be affecting terrorist camps, and reports indicating some infected members have been executed by the group.
During the fighting, soldiers killed an ISWAP cameraman and discovered a Sony camcorder containing operational footage and propaganda material believed to belong to the terrorist organization.
Goni said that initial examination of the recordings showed significant intelligence.
“The neutralization of terrorist cameramen during the failed attack resulted in the recovery of Sony cameras containing highly sensitive footage of terrorist activity, including operational footage and propaganda material.
“Preliminary forensic analysis of the final video recorded before the attack shows that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), along with three foreign terrorist facilitators. They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, who is assessed as ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving in the terrorist network; and another Arab agent whose identity is not yet known,” it said.
The military said the discovery strengthens intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from transnational ties and foreign expertise.
According to the spokesperson, “After the successful battle, troops immediately dominated the area and carried out exploitation operations to ascertain the number of losses suffered by the terrorists.”
Items recovered during the operation included a Sony camcorder, terrorist uniforms, several rounds of PKT ammunition, 7.62 mm special ammunition and other combat-related materials.
Goni also revealed that post-operation satellite imagery showed rebels evacuating the bodies of their fallen fighters from the battlefield.
“This has been corroborated by credible intelligence sources, which confirm that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, and many others suffered gunshot wounds during the fighting,” he said.
However, the military confirmed that two soldiers suffered gunshot wounds during the firefight.
Based on this statement, the two personnel were immediately flown to receive special medical treatment and their condition remains stable.
Goni described these results as another major operational blow to ISWAP, and said that this latest setback comes after sustained military attacks that continue to weaken the group’s operational capabilities in the Northeast.
“The failed infiltration attempt is yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps off a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and increasing military pressure in the North Eastern Theatre,” he said.
He added that the operation highlights the increasing difficulties rebels face in carrying out coordinated attacks on military formations.
Reaffirming the military’s commitment to the eradication of insurgency campaign, Goni said, “Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security is fully restored in the North East.”
