How a dead ISWAP cameraman exposed the terror group’s foreign cover in Borno

The device was recovered after troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai, repelled an attempted ISWAP infiltration at Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area.

The attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, when the terrorists moved towards the troops’ position under the cover of darkness.

According to the military, soldiers detected the movement and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing the attackers to abandon their mission and flee.

The insurgents were reportedly attempting to loot medical supplies meant for the treatment of cholera.

The military said the failed operation supported recent intelligence reports that a cholera outbreak had spread through ISWAP camps, with some infected fighters allegedly executed by the group.

During the gun battle, an ISWAP cameraman was killed and troops recovered a Sony camcorder containing operational recordings and propaganda materials.

Preliminary forensic analysis of the footage, according to Operation Hadin Kai, revealed that four senior ISWAP commanders coordinated the attack alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.

One of the foreigners was identified as Abu Ishaq, a Palestinian Arab believed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer.

Another was named as Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan medical doctor allegedly serving within the terrorist network.

The identity of the third foreign operative had yet to be established.

The military said the discovery strengthened intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to receive training, medical support and specialist assistance from foreign terrorist networks.

Following the confrontation, troops searched the area and recovered rounds of PKT and 7.62mm special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat materials.

The military also said post-operation satellite imagery showed the insurgents evacuating the bodies of some of their fighters during their retreat.

Human intelligence sources reportedly confirmed that ISWAP suffered heavy casualties, while several other fighters escaped with gunshot wounds.

Two soldiers were injured during the exchange and evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment.

They were said to be in stable condition.

Operation Hadin Kai described the failed assault as another major setback for ISWAP and vowed to sustain pressure on terrorist networks across the North-East.