Soldiers Kill ISWAP Cameraman, Uncover Foreign Terrorist Trainer, Doctor in Borno

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province cameraman and recovered video materials indicating the presence of three foreign terrorist facilitators, including a Palestinian identified as a trainer and a Moroccan serving as the group’s medical doctor, during a failed terrorist attack in Borno State.

The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement on Sunday.

According to Goni, the operation followed an attempted infiltration by ISWAP fighters into Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area on Saturday night.

He said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the military position and loot cholera medical supplies but were repelled by troops.

“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,” he said.

Goni explained that the neutralisation of an ISWAP cameraman led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing operational footage and propaganda materials.

Preliminary forensic analysis of the recordings, he said, revealed that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.

The foreign nationals were identified as a Palestinian Arab, Abu Ishaq, believed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer, a Moroccan Arab, Abu Thaiba, who serves as a medical doctor for the terrorist group, and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established.

According to the military, the findings reinforce intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to receive external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist links.

Troops also recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items during the operation.

Goni added that satellite imagery and credible human intelligence confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with surviving fighters seen evacuating the bodies of those killed during the failed attack.

He disclosed that two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter and were airlifted for advanced medical treatment, adding that both remain in stable condition.

The military said the operation represents another major setback for ISWAP as troops continue sustained offensives aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring lasting peace across the North East.