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

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