Troops of the Nigeria military under Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled an attempted infiltration by suspected ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several insurgents and recovering intelligence materials linking the group to foreign terrorist facilitators.
The military said the failed attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to take advantage of the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ location.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, alert troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, detected the movement early and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee after suffering heavy casualties.
The statement disclosed that the terrorists had intended to loot cholera medical supplies, a development the military said further supports recent intelligence indicating a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports that some infected members were executed by the group.
A major breakthrough during the operation was the neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman, leading to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing operational videos and propaganda materials.
Preliminary forensic analysis of the footage reportedly revealed that the failed attack was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators. They were identified as a Palestinian Arab known as Abu Ishaq, believed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, said to be a medical doctor working with the terrorist network; and another unidentified Arab operative.
The military said the discovery further reinforces intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist connections.
Following the encounter, troops carried out exploitation operations and recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat-related items.
The statement added that post-engagement satellite imagery showed the fleeing terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their dead fighters. This, it said, was later corroborated by credible human intelligence sources confirming that many terrorists were killed, while several others sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight.
Two soldiers were also injured during the exchange of fire. They were evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment and are said to be in stable condition.
Operation HADIN KAI described the failed infiltration as another significant setback for ISWAP, noting that it capped a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained military offensives across the North-East.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are restored across the region.
