Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | journalist at WengGlobal
Troops of the Nigerian military under Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an alleged cameraman affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a failed terrorist attack in Borno State, recovering video evidence that military authorities say points to the involvement of foreign terrorist facilitators within the insurgent network.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, the operation took place late Saturday in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, where troops successfully repelled an attempted infiltration by suspected ISWAP fighters.
Punch Newspaper reported that the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to penetrate the military position and loot cholera medical supplies believed to have been stored in the area. However, alert troops detected the movement early and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing the insurgents to retreat after suffering significant casualties.
The military disclosed that among those killed during the encounter was an individual identified as an ISWAP cameraman. Troops recovered a Sony camcorder, which preliminary forensic analysis reportedly showed contained operational recordings and propaganda materials produced by the terrorist group.
According to Captain Goni, the recovered footage allegedly identified four senior ISWAP commanders and three foreign facilitators involved in coordinating terrorist activities. The military claimed the individuals included a Palestinian identified as Abu Ishaq, described as an overall trainer for the group, a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, who allegedly served as a medical doctor within the terrorist network, and another unidentified Arab operative. These claims were attributed to the Nigerian military and had not been independently verified at the time of reporting.
Military authorities said the discovery reinforces existing intelligence assessments suggesting that ISWAP continues to receive external support, specialised expertise and transnational links despite years of sustained counter-insurgency operations across Nigeria’s North-East.
Following the engagement, troops carried out exploitation operations across the surrounding area to assess the extent of the terrorists’ losses. The military reported recovering ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat materials in addition to the camcorder.
Captain Goni further stated that post-operation satellite imagery and human intelligence sources indicated that retreating insurgents evacuated the bodies of several fighters killed during the encounter, while many others sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire.
Although the military recorded operational success, two Nigerian soldiers were reportedly injured during the firefight. Both personnel were evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment and were said to be in stable condition.
The latest operation represents another phase in Nigeria’s prolonged campaign against Boko Haram and ISWAP, insurgent groups that have continued to stage attacks across Borno and neighbouring states despite sustained military offensives.
Security analysts have long warned that extremist organisations operating around the Lake Chad Basin increasingly rely on sophisticated propaganda, intelligence gathering and international networks to sustain their operations. The alleged recovery of propaganda footage and evidence pointing to foreign facilitators, if further verified, may provide investigators with additional intelligence into the group’s command structure and external relationships.
Operation Hadin Kai has intensified offensive operations in recent months, targeting insurgent camps, logistics routes and commanders across the North-East. The military says these sustained operations have resulted in the elimination of several high-profile terrorists, the surrender of fighters and the recovery of weapons and equipment.
Despite these gains, security experts note that ISWAP remains capable of launching coordinated attacks, particularly in remote communities bordering the Lake Chad region. The insurgent group has continued to exploit difficult terrain, porous borders and humanitarian vulnerabilities while attempting to replenish supplies through raids on communities and aid facilities.
The reported attempt to steal cholera medical supplies has also drawn attention to the humanitarian challenges facing conflict-affected communities in Borno. Health officials have repeatedly expressed concern over disease outbreaks in displaced communities, while military intelligence has previously suggested that insurgent camps have also been affected by communicable diseases.
Captain Goni maintained that the successful defence of Cross Kauwa demonstrated the vigilance and combat readiness of troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai, adding that military operations would continue until terrorist networks were dismantled and lasting peace restored to the North-East.
The Nigerian military has continued to encourage members of terrorist groups willing to surrender to take advantage of government deradicalisation initiatives while simultaneously sustaining offensive operations against fighters who remain active on the battlefield.
As of publication, independent international verification of the military’s claims regarding the identities and nationalities of the alleged foreign facilitators had not been publicly released. Nevertheless, the reported recovery of operational footage is expected to form part of ongoing intelligence and forensic investigations.
The development comes amid continued efforts by Nigerian security agencies and regional partners within the Multinational Joint Task Force to degrade terrorist capabilities across the Lake Chad Basin and prevent cross-border extremist activities.
Sources
- Punch Newspaper
- Nigerian Army / Operation Hadin Kai official statement
- Defence Headquarters (background)
- Africa Defense Forum (background on ISWAP operation
