The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, the operational success was recorded on Saturday after troops foiled an infiltration attempt by members of the Islamic State West Africa Province into Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Goni said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies.
“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials.
“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded before the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
“They include a Palestinian identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” Goni added.
Goni said the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.
Goni said the failed attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.
“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses,” he said.
According to him, the attempted looting lends further credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports that some infected members had been executed by the group.
The statement added, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, 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.
“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.
“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses.”
The Army spokesman said troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment during the operation.
He added that initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery showed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their slain fighters during their withdrawal.
“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement,” he said.
According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care. He added that both personnel remained in stable condition.
“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,” he said.
Goni added that the outcome underscored the increasing difficulty 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 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,” he assured.
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