Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have thwarted an attempted attack by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Cross Kauwa community in Borno State, forcing the insurgents to retreat after a fierce gun battle.
The military said the confrontation occurred late on Saturday in Kukawa Local Government Area, where personnel of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, detected suspicious movements around their position and responded with coordinated firepower.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said the insurgents had attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to infiltrate the area at about 10:20 p.m. However, alert troops intercepted the attackers before they could penetrate the military location.
According to the military, the assailants suffered heavy casualties and abandoned the operation after meeting stiff resistance from security forces. Preliminary intelligence indicated that the group may have been targeting cholera medical supplies in the community, a claim the military linked to reports of a disease outbreak within terrorist camps.
Goni said intelligence gathered in recent weeks suggested that some insurgents infected with cholera had allegedly been executed by the group, underscoring the worsening health situation within the terrorists’ enclaves.
Following the clash, troops launched follow-up operations and recovered a Sony camcorder believed to belong to a suspected terrorist cameraman killed during the exchange. The military said the device contained operational footage and propaganda materials used by the insurgents.
Initial forensic analysis of the recovered materials reportedly pointed to the involvement of four senior ISWAP commanders in planning the attack, as well as the participation of three foreign operatives linked to the group.
The statement identified two of the alleged foreign facilitators as Abu Ishaq, described as a Palestinian trainer working with ISWAP, and Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan national said to be serving as a medical doctor within the terrorist organisation. The identity of a third Arab operative remains unknown.
According to the military, the findings support previous intelligence assessments indicating that the insurgent group continues to receive foreign assistance and specialised support.
Troops also recovered ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other items from the scene. Satellite imagery and human intelligence later revealed that the insurgents evacuated some of their dead and wounded following the failed operation.
The military disclosed that two soldiers sustained injuries during the firefight and were airlifted for further treatment. Both personnel are said to be in stable condition.
Operation HADIN KAI described the failed infiltration as another blow to ISWAP and reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and securing communities across the North-East.
