By Palma Ileye
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cameraman and recovered video evidence that allegedly reveals the involvement of three foreign terrorist facilitators, including a Palestinian identified as a trainer and a Moroccan serving as a medical doctor within the insurgent group.
The Acting Military Information Officer of Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to Goni, the breakthrough followed a failed attempt by ISWAP fighters to infiltrate Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday night.
He said the terrorists, who moved under the cover of darkness, attempted to overrun troops’ positions and cart away cholera medical supplies but were met with heavy resistance.
“Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, decisively repelled the attempted infiltration, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray,” the statement said.
Goni noted that the operation highlighted the vigilance and combat readiness of troops who continue to deny terrorist groups freedom of movement across the North-East.
The attack reportedly occurred around 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when soldiers detected the advancing insurgents and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing them to abandon their mission.
He said intelligence suggests the terrorists were attempting to steal cholera medical supplies, a development that supports recent reports of a cholera outbreak within ISWAP camps and allegations that some infected members had been executed by the group.
During the exchange, troops neutralised an ISWAP cameraman and recovered a Sony camcorder containing operational footage and propaganda materials.
According to preliminary forensic analysis of the recordings, the failed operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign facilitators.
The military identified the foreign operatives as a Palestinian known as Abu Ishaq, believed to be the group’s chief trainer; a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, who reportedly serves as a medical doctor; and another Arab operative whose identity has yet to be confirmed.
Goni said the findings reinforce intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to receive external support, specialist expertise and maintains links with transnational terrorist networks.
Following the operation, troops conducted exploitation missions across the area to determine the extent of the terrorists’ losses.
Items recovered from the scene included the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment.
The military spokesman added that initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery showed insurgents evacuating the bodies of some of their dead fighters as they retreated.
