Troops Repel ISWAP Attack in Borno, Forensic Evidence Reveals Foreign Terrorist Facilitators

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled an attempted infiltration by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, with preliminary forensic findings revealing the involvement of foreign terrorist facilitators in the failed assault.

The operation, carried out by troops of the 19 Brigade under Sector 3 of the Joint Task Force North East, dealt a major blow to the insurgents, who suffered heavy casualties and were forced to retreat after encountering overwhelming resistance from Nigerian troops.

According to the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the terrorists launched the attack at about 10:20 p.m. on Friday, July 11, under the cover of darkness, hoping to overrun the military position in Cross Kauwa. 

However, vigilant troops detected the movement early and responded with coordinated firepower that thwarted the attack.

Military authorities disclosed that the terrorists had intended to loot cholera medical supplies, a development that lends further credibility to intelligence reports indicating a cholera outbreak within ISWAP enclaves. 

The military also noted reports suggesting that some infected members of the terrorist group had allegedly been executed by their commanders.

A major breakthrough during the operation was the recovery of a Sony camcorder from a neutralised terrorist cameraman. Military forensic experts who examined the device discovered operational footage and propaganda materials that provided significant intelligence into the group's activities.

Preliminary analysis of the recordings revealed that the failed attack was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders working alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators. 

The foreign operatives were identified as Abu Ishaq, a Palestinian Arab believed to be ISWAP's chief trainer, Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan Arab and medical doctor serving within the terrorist network and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be confirmed.

The military said the discovery reinforces long standing intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to receive external support, specialised expertise and operational guidance from foreign terrorist elements with transnational links.

Following the failed assault, troops launched exploitation operations across the area, recovering the camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment abandoned by the fleeing insurgents.

Post battle satellite imagery and credible human intelligence further confirmed that the terrorists suffered significant casualties, with surviving fighters seen evacuating the bodies of those killed during the encounter. Several others were also believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.

Two soldiers sustained gunshot injuries during the firefight and were immediately evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment. Military authorities confirmed that both personnel are in stable condition.

The military described the failed infiltration as another major operational setback for ISWAP, noting that it capped a difficult weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations by troops across the North-East.

Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining pressure on terrorist networks, protecting vulnerable communities and eliminating insurgent threats until lasting peace and security are restored across the region.