Troops of Operation Haɗin Kai have foiled an attempted attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Cross Kauwa area of Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing the group’s cameraman and recovering a video camera containing vital intelligence on the group’s operations.
The Acting Military Public Information Officer of the operation, Captain Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to him, the incident occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday when ISWAP fighters attempted to infiltrate a military base in order to steal cholera medication.
However, the statement said the troops detected the plan before the attackers could achieve their objective and engaged them with heavy gunfire, forcing the insurgents to flee after suffering significant casualties.
Following the encounter, the troops recovered a Sony video camera, ammunition, combat equipment and other items belonging to the terrorists.
The statement said preliminary analysis of the footage stored on the recovered camera revealed that ISWAP’s operations are directed by four senior commanders with the support of three highly skilled foreign terrorist operatives.
Among those identified was Abu Ishaq, a Palestinian believed to be ISWAP’s chief military trainer, and Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan national serving as the group’s medical officer. A third Arab national was also identified, although his country of origin has yet to be determined.
The military said the findings further corroborate intelligence reports indicating that ISWAP continues to receive support and specialised personnel from outside Nigeria.
The statement also noted that intelligence gathered suggests a possible cholera outbreak in the group’s camps, which is believed to have prompted the militants’ attempt to steal cholera medication from the military facility.
It added that satellite imagery and other intelligence confirmed that the insurgents evacuated the bodies of some of those killed during the clash and withdrew their wounded fighters from the battlefield.
Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and were airlifted for medical treatment. The military said both personnel are responding well to treatment and are in stable condition.
Operation Haɗin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at dismantling the remaining terrorist camps and restoring lasting peace and security across Nigeria’s North-East region.
