Troops kill ISWAP cameraman, recover footage exposing foreign terrorist facilitators in Borno

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have killed an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cameraman and recovered a Sony camcorder containing sensitive operational footage that allegedly exposed the involvement of three foreign terrorist facilitators, including a Palestinian identified as the group’s chief trainer and a Moroccan serving as its medical doctor.

The breakthrough came after troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai, foiled an attempted ISWAP infiltration of Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday night.

The development was disclosed on Sunday in a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, who described the operation as another major setback for the terrorist group.

According to Goni, the insurgents launched the attack at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, hoping to exploit the cover of darkness to overrun troops’ positions and steal cholera medical supplies believed to be stored in the area.

However, vigilant troops detected the terrorists’ movement early and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing the attackers to abandon their mission and retreat with heavy casualties.

“Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), 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.

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“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.”

The military said intelligence gathered before the attack suggested the terrorists intended to loot cholera treatment supplies, reinforcing recent reports of a cholera outbreak within ISWAP camps.

According to the military, intelligence also indicates that the group may have executed some of its own members who contracted the disease in an attempt to prevent its spread within their camps.

During the operation, troops killed a suspected ISWAP cameraman who was responsible for documenting the group’s activities and producing propaganda materials.

His death led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder, ammunition, uniforms and other combat equipment.

Military authorities said a preliminary forensic examination of the camera uncovered highly sensitive recordings of terrorist operations, propaganda videos and intelligence linking foreign nationals to ISWAP’s activities in Nigeria.

According to Captain Goni, the last video recorded before the failed attack showed that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds) working alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.

The foreign operatives were identified as Abu Ishaq, a Palestinian believed to serve as ISWAP’s chief trainer, Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan medical doctor attached to the terrorist network, and another unidentified Arab operative whose identity is still being investigated.

“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.

“They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab 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 said the discovery provides further evidence that ISWAP continues to receive specialised expertise, logistical support and operational assistance through transnational terrorist networks operating across the region.

Security experts have long warned that extremist groups in the Lake Chad Basin maintain cross-border recruitment and logistical channels involving foreign fighters from neighbouring countries and beyond, making regional cooperation critical to counter-terrorism efforts.

Following the gun battle, troops conducted exploitation operations to assess the extent of the terrorists’ losses and recover additional intelligence materials.

Recovered items included the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT ammunition, 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment.

The military also said preliminary satellite imagery captured after the operation showed insurgents evacuating the bodies of some of their fighters from the battlefield.

According to Goni, the imagery was later corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that several terrorists were killed while many others sustained gunshot wounds during the failed assault.

Despite the successful operation, two Nigerian soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire.

The injured personnel were immediately airlifted to a military medical facility for advanced treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.

Military authorities described the failed infiltration as another significant operational setback for ISWAP, noting that it followed sustained offensives by troops under Operation Hadin Kai across the North-East.

In recent months, the military has intensified coordinated land and air operations targeting terrorist enclaves in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, leading to the elimination of several commanders, destruction of logistics bases and recovery of arms and ammunition.

The Nigerian Armed Forces, working alongside regional partners under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), have continued to intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating around the Lake Chad region.

Captain Goni reiterated that Operation Hadin Kai remains committed to sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and restoring lasting peace across Nigeria’s North-East.

“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.”

Troops kill ISWAP cameraman, recover footage exposing foreign terrorist facilitators in Borno

Police to arraign alleged fake Presidential Council DG over forgery, impersonation Tuesday

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is set to arraign Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday over allegations of forgery, impersonation and other related offences.

The arraignment follows months of investigation into the activities of the purported council, which the Presidency has described as a fictitious organisation with no legal recognition or executive approval.

According to court documents marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, Adeyemi and two other defendants will face an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, criminal impersonation and other alleged offences.

The charges were filed on November 27, 2025, by police prosecutor Wisdom Madaki.

The case was initially scheduled for hearing on June 16, but proceedings were stalled after Adeyemi was reported to be ill. Consequently, Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter to Tuesday for the defendants to take their pleas.

Court records show that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, is among the prosecution’s key witnesses.

Other witnesses listed by the prosecution include Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede, Ituah Sylvester, Akimbo Shola, Deputy Superintendent of Police Adamu Balongu, and officials from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

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Also expected to testify are Ojo Victor, Omeh Amarachukwu, Wakili Saidu, Joy Ngwoke, owner of Kachi Hotel in Abuja, and Ven. Okoriko of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama, among others.

The prosecution said it would tender several documents as evidence during the trial, including the police investigation report, a petition allegedly submitted by Gbajabiamila dated October 17, 2025, and what investigators described as a fake presidential appointment letter dated March 8, 2024.

Other documentary exhibits include Adeyemi’s request for a note verbale to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approvals allegedly obtained to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), correspondence seeking self-accounting approval from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and documents relating to the establishment and operations of the purported PFIPC.

The prosecution also plans to present letters requesting collaboration with government ministries and agencies for land allocation and office accommodation across Nigeria’s 36 states, statements obtained from witnesses and the defendants, as well as photographic evidence gathered during the investigation.

According to the charge sheet, the prosecution reserves the right to call additional witnesses where necessary to strengthen its case during the trial.

Police investigators alleged that Adeyemi operated the non-existent agency from the second floor of the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase III, Abuja, where he allegedly held official meetings, issued correspondence and presented himself as the head of a presidential agency before his arrest.

The case attracted national attention after the Presidency publicly distanced itself from the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, maintaining that no such agency exists within the Federal Government.

Following the revelation, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the alleged organisation and submit its findings within 30 days.

The Presidency said the investigation was aimed at determining how the purported agency operated, identifying possible collaborators and preventing similar incidents capable of undermining public confidence in government institutions.

The case has also raised broader concerns about the activities of individuals allegedly using forged government documents and false official identities to gain access to public institutions, financial systems and unsuspecting members of the public.

Adeyemi and the two other defendants are expected to enter their pleas when the matter comes up before the Federal High Court on Tuesday.

It is important to note that the charges remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by the court.

Police to arraign alleged fake Presidential Council DG over forgery, impersonation Tuesday

Peter Obi has no police escort — Spokesman replies Keyamo over CCTV video

A fresh controversy has emerged between Peter Obi, the Labour Party‘s 2023 presidential candidate, and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the release of CCTV footage linked to an airport incident involving the former Anambra State governor.

The dispute began after Keyamo released surveillance footage from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, which he said showed a vehicle associated with Obi violating airport parking regulations. The minister maintained that the footage contradicted Obi’s recent claim that he had been subjected to intimidation and unfair treatment at Nigerian airports.

However, Zekeri Idris, one of Obi’s spokespersons, has rejected the minister’s position, insisting that the footage released by Keyamo relates to a different incident from the one Obi publicly described during a recent interview.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Idris argued that the minister based part of his response on the mistaken assumption that Obi enjoys official security protection similar to that of serving government officials.

According to him, although Obi is entitled to security as a prominent opposition leader, he currently has no police or Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel attached to him in Abuja.

“Mr. Peter Obi does not have any police or civil defence personnel attached to him in Abuja, despite being entitled to VVIP protection by virtue of his status as a leading opposition figure in Nigeria. He certainly does not have a police officer serving as his driver.

“Your reference to a ‘police driver’ appears to have been based on the assumption that he enjoys the level of security protection ordinarily accorded to someone of his standing. He does not.”

Idris said he had accompanied Obi on numerous trips across the country and had personally observed what he described as repeated discourteous treatment from some government officials at airports.

He maintained that the CCTV footage published by Keyamo did not capture the same incident Obi referred to during his interview.

“The incident you posted is entirely different from the one Mr. Peter Obi narrated in his interview. In that interview, he clearly stated: ‘I was there…’ In the incident contained in your tweet, he was not present.”

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The spokesman argued that if there were now multiple incidents involving vehicles linked to Obi being clamped at airports, the development could indicate a pattern that deserved closer public scrutiny.

“If we now have at least two separate incidents in which vehicles associated with Mr. Obi were clamped under questionable circumstances, does this not suggest a pattern of targeting an individual simply because of who he is?”

Idris also disputed claims that Obi’s vehicle remained parked for about 30 minutes, insisting that the entire sequence—from the vehicle’s arrival to its eventual clamping—lasted approximately five minutes.

He questioned the basis of the 30-minute claim, noting that many international airports allow vehicles a short window to drop off or pick up passengers before enforcement measures are taken.

“The entire sequence of events you referenced, from arrival to the eventual clamping of the vehicle, lasted approximately five minutes.

“At most airports around the world, including major international airports, a ten-minute drop-off window is generally considered acceptable. Where, then, did the claim of 30 minutes originate?”

The Obi spokesperson further alleged that several other vehicles parked in the same area were not subjected to similar enforcement by airport officials.

According to him, some of those vehicles had been parked before the arrival of the vehicle linked to Obi, yet they were neither clamped nor sanctioned.

He also referenced previous airport controversies involving former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), questioning why similar official attention, including the release of CCTV footage, was not given to those incidents.

“Where was this same enthusiasm to instigate public outrage and issue official condemnations? Was CCTV footage from those incidents also released, or was the CCTV system only activated when it involved Mr. Peter Obi?” he asked.

The controversy follows Obi’s recent allegation that he had repeatedly experienced intimidation and harassment at Nigerian airports. In response, Keyamo released the CCTV footage, insisting that airport officials merely enforced existing parking regulations and denying any form of political victimisation.

The exchange has continued to generate debate across social media and political circles, with supporters of both men offering contrasting interpretations of the events. While Obi’s camp insists the minister relied on footage from a different incident, the Aviation Ministry maintains that the released video demonstrates that airport officials acted within established operational guidelines.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Peter Obi nor Festus Keyamo had issued any additional statement beyond those already released by their respective camps.

Peter Obi has no police escort — Spokesman replies Keyamo over CCTV video