Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have killed an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cameraman, unearthing evidence of foreign collusion with the identification of a Palestinian trainer and a Moroccan doctor.
The failed assault occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11 when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the military position, Cross Kauwa in Borno State.
Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Mohammed Goni, disclosed in a statement that “alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses.”
The attempted looting of medical supplies corroborated intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports of the execution of some affected members by the group.
During the engagement, Goni disclosed that troops neutralised a terrorist cameraman and recovered a Sony camcorder containing operational footage and propaganda materials.
He also noted that preliminary forensic analysis indicated the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators: a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the network; and another unidentified Arab operative.
The information officer also disclosed that the troops recovered several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items during exploitation operations.
According to him, post-engagement satellite imagery and human intelligence sources confirmed the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many sustaining gunshot wounds and bodies evacuated during the withdrawal.
He further disclosed that two soldiers also sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were evacuated by air for advanced medical care.
“The attempted looting further lends credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports of the execution of some affected members by the group.
“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials. Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
“They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established. The presence and active involvement of these foreign nationals further reinforces intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.
“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses. During the operation, troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62 mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat enablers. Initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal,” the statement read.
