Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have repelled an attempted infiltration by suspected ISWAP terrorists on Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Maiduguri.
Goni said the terrorists launched the attack at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday but were detected by alert troops, who responded with coordinated firepower and forced them to retreat.
He said the terrorists had allegedly planned to loot cholera medical supplies from the military location.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the attempted looting supports recent intelligence reports suggesting a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves and alleged executions of some infected members by the group.
Goni said troops neutralised a terrorist cameraman during the encounter and recovered a Sony camcorder containing operational videos and propaganda materials.
He said preliminary forensic analysis of the recovered device indicated that the failed operation was allegedly coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders with the involvement of three foreign terrorist facilitators.
According to him, the foreign nationals include a Palestinian identified as Abu Ishaq, believed to be the group’s chief trainer, a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, reportedly serving as a medical doctor within the terrorist network, and another unidentified Arab operative.
He said the identities and roles of the individuals were based on preliminary military intelligence analysis and remained part of ongoing investigations.
“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,” he said.
Goni said troops subsequently carried out exploitation operations in the area and recovered the camcorder, ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items.
He added that satellite imagery and human intelligence indicated that the terrorists evacuated the bodies of some of their dead fighters while withdrawing, with several others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement.
According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot injuries during the firefight and were evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment.
He said both personnel were in stable condition.
Goni described the failed attack as another major setback for the terrorist group, saying sustained military operations had continued to degrade its operational capability across the North-East.
He reiterated the commitment of Operation HADIN KAI to sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are restored in the region.
