Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attempted attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several insurgents, including an alleged terrorist cameraman, during the operation.
The Nigerian military said the failed assault took place at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the insurgents reportedly attempted to infiltrate a military position under the cover of darkness. According to the military, alert troops detected the movement early and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing the attackers to retreat after suffering significant casualties.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the terrorists had allegedly planned to loot cholera medical supplies before they were intercepted by troops.
A major breakthrough from the operation was the recovery of a Sony camcorder from a suspected ISWAP cameraman who was killed during the exchange of fire. The military said the device contained videos and propaganda materials believed to provide valuable intelligence on the group’s operations.
According to preliminary forensic findings, the recovered footage suggests the failed attack was allegedly coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign facilitators. The military identified two of the foreign nationals as Abu Ishaq, described as a Palestinian Arab believed to be the group’s chief trainer, and Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan Arab said to be serving as a medical doctor within the terrorist network. Authorities said the identity of a third foreign operative is still being established.
The military said the findings reinforce previous intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to receive external support, specialist expertise and links to transnational terrorist networks. During follow-up operations, troops also recovered ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment abandoned by the fleeing insurgents.
Satellite imagery and human intelligence reportedly indicated that the terrorists evacuated the bodies of several fighters killed during the encounter, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. The military described the operation as another major setback for ISWAP amid ongoing counterterrorism offensives across Nigeria’s North-East.
Two soldiers sustained gunshot injuries during the firefight and were airlifted for advanced medical treatment. According to the military, both personnel are in stable condition as operations continue to target insurgent strongholds in the region.
