Nigerian Troops Repel ISWAP Attack On Borno Community, Recover Camcorder Exposing Seven Foreigners, Terrorist Facilitators

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Troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3 of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have repelled an attempted infiltration by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) into Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several of the attackers and forcing the remaining insurgents to retreat.

The military also disclosed that a Sony camcorder recovered from a slain terrorist cameraman contained highly sensitive operational and propaganda recordings, with preliminary forensic analysis allegedly linking three foreign nationals and four senior ISWAP commanders to the failed operation.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

The military said the insurgents attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to infiltrate the troops’ location in Cross Kauwa but were detected early by soldiers, who responded with coordinated firepower that forced the attackers to abandon the mission and flee after suffering heavy casualties.

The statement added that intelligence suggests the terrorists had planned to loot cholera medical supplies during the raid.

The military said the attempted looting further supports recent intelligence reports indicating a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as claims that some infected members of the group had allegedly been executed by fellow insurgents.

According to the statement, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.”

“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.”

Giving details of the operation, the military said, “The failed attack occurred at about 2220 hours (10:20pm) on 11 July 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ location.”

“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 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.”

Goni further disclosed that one of those killed during the encounter was allegedly an ISWAP cameraman.

It said the recovery of the cameraman’s Sony camcorder yielded intelligence materials currently undergoing forensic examination.

“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.”

It added that preliminary forensic findings indicate that the failed operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders, referred to as Qai’ds, working alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.

Goni identified the foreign nationals as “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 firefight, troops reportedly carried out exploitation operations to assess the extent of the insurgents’ losses and recover abandoned items.

The military said the recovered items included the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT ammunition, 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat-related equipment.

It also revealed that satellite imagery obtained after the engagement allegedly showed the fleeing insurgents evacuating the bodies of some of their dead fighters.

According to the statement, “Initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal.”

“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement.”

The military also confirmed that two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire.

It said both personnel were immediately evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment and remain in stable condition.

“Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care. Both personnel remain in stable condition.”

The military described the failed attack as another major setback for ISWAP, saying it came after sustained offensive operations against the terrorist group across the North East.

“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 outcome underscores the increasing difficulty the terrorists face in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops, while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.”