Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Acting Media Information Officer of the Operation, Captain Mohammed Goni, said in a press statement on Sunday that the attack was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
He said alert troops detected the movement early and responded with coordinated firepower, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to abandon the operation.
During a follow-up exploitation of the area, troops recovered a Sony camcorder from a slain ISWAP cameraman alongside ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment.
The troops’ spokesman said preliminary analysis of the video recordings found on the device revealed that the failed operation involved four senior ISWAP commanders and three foreign facilitators.
The foreign nationals were identified as a Palestinian, Abu Ishaq, believed to be the group’s chief trainer; a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, who reportedly serves as a medical doctor within the terrorist network, and another Arab operative whose identity has yet to be ascertained.
The military said the discovery further supports intelligence that ISWAP continues to receive foreign expertise and external support.
It also noted that the terrorists’ attempt to seize medical supplies appeared to corroborate recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak in insurgent camps.
The statement partly read, “The attackers include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established
“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.
“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses.
“During the operation, troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62 mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat enablers. Initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal.
“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement.
“Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care. Both personnel remain in stable condition.
“The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East Theatre.
“The outcome underscores the increasing difficulty the terrorists face in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops, while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.”
The statement added that 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.
It noted that 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.
