Troops kill ISWAP terrorists in Borno, uncover foreign trainers

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have killed several suspected ISWAP terrorists during a failed infiltration attempt on Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, with preliminary investigations pointing to the involvement of foreign terrorist trainers.

The Nigerian Army said the attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on Friday when the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the troops’ location under the cover of darkness. Soldiers of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, detected the movement early and engaged the attackers with coordinated firepower, forcing them to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, the terrorists had intended to loot cholera medical supplies.

The military said the attempted looting appeared to support recent intelligence suggesting a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports that some infected members had been executed by the group.

During the operation, troops reportedly neutralised a terrorist cameraman and recovered a Sony camcorder containing operational footage and propaganda materials. Preliminary forensic analysis, according to the military, indicated that the failed operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.

The statement identified the foreign nationals as a Palestinian identified as Abu Ishaq, described as ISWAP’s overall trainer, a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, said to be a medical doctor within the terrorist network, and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established. It said their involvement reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to receive external support and specialist expertise.

The military added that follow-up operations led to the recovery of the camcorder, ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items. It also said satellite imagery and human intelligence confirmed that the terrorists evacuated several bodies of those killed during the encounter, while many others escaped with gunshot wounds. Two soldiers injured during the firefight were airlifted for medical treatment and were 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 statement read.