Troops kill ISWAP ‘cameraman, uncover evidence of foreign trainer, doctor’ in Borno
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai say they have killed an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cameraman and uncovered evidence suggesting the presence of foreign terrorist facilitators, including a Palestinian identified as a trainer and a Moroccan serving as a medical doctor for the insurgent group.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Muhammed Goni, acting military information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, said the development followed a failed infiltration attempt by ISWAP fighters at Cross Kauwa in Kukawa LGA of Borno state on Saturday night.
According to Goni, the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the military position and loot cholera medical supplies.
He said alert troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, detected the movement at about 10:20 pm and responded with “coordinated and 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 reads.
Goni said the attempted theft of cholera supplies lends credence to intelligence reports indicating a cholera outbreak within ISWAP enclaves.
According to him, intelligence reports also suggest that the group has executed some of its members affected by the disease.
He said troops recovered a Sony camcorder from an ISWAP cameraman who was killed during the encounter.
The military spokesperson said preliminary forensic analysis of the footage revealed operational recordings and propaganda materials linked to senior ISWAP commanders and foreign operatives.
According to Goni, the video indicated that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign facilitators.
He identified one of them as Abu Ishaq, a Palestinian Arab said to be the group’s overall trainer, and another as Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan Arab who allegedly serves as a medical doctor within the terrorist network.
He added that the identity of a third Arab operative is yet to be established.
“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,” he said.
Following the operation, Goni said troops conducted exploitation operations in the area and recovered the Sony camcorder, terrorist uniforms, several rounds of PKT ammunition, 7.62mm special ammunition and other combat items.
He added that post-engagement satellite imagery, corroborated by human intelligence sources, showed the insurgents evacuating the bodies of some of their dead fighters while many others sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.
The military spokesperson said two soldiers were wounded during the firefight and were evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment.
He said both personnel are in stable condition.
Goni described the failed infiltration as another major setback for ISWAP, saying sustained military offensives have continued to degrade the group’s operational capability across the 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,” he added.
