Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cameraman and recovered video materials pointing to the involvement of three foreign terrorist facilitators during a failed attack in Borno State.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to Goni, the terrorists attempted to infiltrate troops’ position at Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday under the cover of darkness to loot cholera medical supplies.
He said alert troops detected the movement early and responded with overwhelming firepower, forcing the insurgents to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.
“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 statement said.
Goni disclosed that the neutralised terrorist was an ISWAP cameraman, adding that troops recovered a Sony camcorder containing operational footage and propaganda materials.
He said preliminary forensic analysis of the recovered footage revealed that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
According to him, the foreign nationals include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, believed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer, a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, who serves as a medical doctor for the group, and another unidentified Arab operative.
“The presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals further reinforces intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages,” Goni stated.
The military spokesman added that troops recovered the Sony camcorder, terrorist uniforms, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, as well as other combat items during exploitation of the area.
He also said satellite imagery and human intelligence confirmed that the terrorists evacuated the bodies of some of their fighters after the encounter, while many others sustained gunshot wounds.
Goni revealed that two soldiers were injured during the exchange of gunfire and were airlifted for advanced medical treatment. He said both personnel were in stable condition.
He maintained that the failed attack marked another major setback for ISWAP, stressing that Operation Hadin Kai would continue sustained offensive operations to dismantle terrorist networks and restore lasting peace across the North East.
