Troops Foil ISWAP Attack in Borno, Intelligence Haul Reveals Foreign Terror Links
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have thwarted an attempted infiltration by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several insurgents, recovering critical intelligence materials and exposing what the military described as foreign involvement in the failed operation.
The military disclosed that the attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position. However, personnel of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, detected the advancing insurgents and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, forcing the attackers to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.
According to the military, the terrorists had intended to loot cholera-related medical supplies from the community, a development that supports recent intelligence reports indicating a cholera outbreak within ISWAP enclaves around the Lake Chad region. It also corroborates reports that some infected members of the group were allegedly executed in an attempt to contain the spread of the disease.
A major breakthrough during the operation was the recovery of a Sony camcorder from a neutralised terrorist cameraman. The military said the device contained operational footage and propaganda materials documenting the activities of the terrorist group.
Preliminary forensic analysis of the recordings reportedly revealed that the failed attack was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders in collaboration with three foreign terrorist facilitators.
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The foreign operatives were identified as a Palestinian Arab known as Abu Ishaq, believed to be ISWAP’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 is yet to be established.
The military said the findings reinforce intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to receive external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist assistance.
Following the successful defence of the military position, troops conducted exploitation operations to determine the extent of the terrorists’ losses. During the operation, they recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat-related items.
The military further disclosed that post-engagement satellite imagery showed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their slain fighters during their withdrawal. The assessment was subsequently corroborated by credible human intelligence, which confirmed that several insurgents were killed while many others sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.
Two soldiers were wounded in the exchange of fire and were immediately evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment. The military confirmed that both personnel are in stable condition.
Describing the failed assault as another major operational setback for ISWAP, Operation HADIN KAI said the outcome reflected the growing effectiveness of sustained military offensives across the North-East, which have continued to degrade the group’s combat capability, weaken its morale and restrict its operational freedom.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining sustained offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are restored across the North-East.
By PRNigeria
