Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an alleged cameraman for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and recovered video materials said to reveal the presence of three foreign terrorist facilitators operating within the group’s network in Borno State.
The development was disclosed on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni.
According to the military, the operation followed a failed infiltration attempt by suspected ISWAP fighters into Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on the night of July 11, 2026.
The terrorists were said to have attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach troops’ positions and loot cholera medical supplies.
Captain Goni stated that alert troops detected the movement at about 10:20 p.m. and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing the attackers to retreat after reportedly suffering heavy casualties.
He said the operation demonstrated the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops engaged in ongoing counterterrorism operations across the North-East.
According to the military, the neutralisation of the suspected ISWAP cameraman led to the recovery of a Sony camcordercontaining what it described as operational footage and propaganda materials.
Preliminary forensic analysis of the recordings, the military said, suggested that the failed operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
The individuals were identified by the military as Abu Ishaq, described as a Palestinian Arab and the group’s alleged chief trainer; Abu Thaiba, identified as a Moroccan Arab serving as a medical doctor within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established.
The military said the discovery reinforces intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to receive external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist links.
Following the engagement, troops conducted exploitation operations across the area, recovering the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment.
Captain Goni added that initial post-operation satellite imagery showed suspected terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their fallen fighters during their withdrawal, a development he said was corroborated by credible human intelligence indicating that several others sustained gunshot wounds.
The military also confirmed that two soldiers sustained gunshot injuries during the firefight and were evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment. Both personnel are reported to be in stable condition.
According to the statement, the failed infiltration represents another operational setback for ISWAP amid sustained military offensives across the North-East, further degrading the group’s operational capability and limiting its freedom of movement.
