Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled an attempted infiltration by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several insurgents and recovering a camcorder said to contain sensitive operational footage.
The military said the attack took place at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday when the insurgents attempted to overrun a military position under the cover of darkness.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer at Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, detected advancing fighters early and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing them to retreat.
The military said the terrorists had intended to loot cholera medical supplies kept at the location.
It added that the attempted theft appeared to support recent intelligence suggesting a cholera outbreak within ISWAP-controlled enclaves, as well as reports that some infected members had been executed by the group.
A significant breakthrough during the operation, the statement said, was the killing of a terrorist cameraman whose Sony camcorder was recovered by troops.
According to the military, preliminary forensic analysis of the device revealed recordings of terrorist operations and propaganda materials.
The analysis also allegedly pointed to the involvement of foreign nationals in planning the failed assault.
The statement said the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders, alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
It identified them as a Palestinian Arab known as Abu Ishaq, described as ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, said to be a medical doctor within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity has yet to be established.
The military said the findings reinforce intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to receive external support and specialist expertise through transnational terrorist networks.
Following the firefight, 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.
The military also said satellite imagery showed insurgents evacuating the bodies of some of their dead fighters during their withdrawal, a claim it said was later corroborated by human intelligence sources, which reported that many other terrorists sustained gunshot wounds.
Two soldiers were wounded during the exchange of fire and were airlifted for advanced medical treatment.
The military said both personnel were in stable condition.
Describing the outcome as another setback for the insurgent group, the statement said the failed assault reflected the growing pressure being mounted on ISWAP across the North East.
“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,” the statement said.
It added: “The outcome underscores the increasing difficulty the terrorists face in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops, while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.”
Operation HADIN KAI pledged to sustain offensive operations against insurgent groups while protecting vulnerable communities until peace and security are restored across Nigeria’s North East.
