Nigerian troops have killed an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cameraman and recovered footage exposing three foreign facilitators operating within the terrorist network in Borno State.
Muhammed Goni, acting information officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, said in a statement on Sunday that the foreigners include Abu Ishaq, a Palestinian Arab assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan Arab serving as a medical doctor within the network; and a third Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established.
How the ISWAP infiltration attempt failed
Goni said the operation took place at about 10:20pm on Saturday, 11 July 2026, after ISWAP terrorists attempted to infiltrate Cross Kauwa, Kukawa local government area of Borno State, under cover of darkness.
“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,” the statement read.
According to Goni, the terrorists were attempting to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies. “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.
Foreign facilitators identified through recovered footage
Goni said forensic analysis of footage recovered from a Sony camcorder seized during the operation showed that the failed assault was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders and the three foreign facilitators.
“The presence and active involvement of these foreign nationals further reinforces intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages,” Goni said.
He added that the attempted looting of cholera medical supplies corroborated recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves in the region.
During exploitation operations, troops recovered several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment, alongside the camcorder.
Goni said post-engagement satellite imagery, corroborated by human intelligence, showed the insurgents evacuating the bodies of some of their fighters, while many others were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.
Two soldiers were wounded during the encounter and evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment, he said.
Goni described the failed infiltration as another operational setback for ISWAP, capping what he called a costly weekend for the group following sustained military pressure across the North East theatre.
“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 said.
