Military operations have intensified across Nigeria’s North-East following a failed ISWAP infiltration attempt on Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, with troops recording what security sources described as a major intelligence breakthrough.
According to highly placed military sources, follow-up exploitation operations by troops of Operation HADIN KAI led to the recovery of additional terrorist equipment, including High Frequency (HHR) radios abandoned by fleeing ISWAP fighters.
The sources further disclosed that subsequent operations in Abadam Local Government Area within the Lake Chad Islands resulted in the arrest of a fleeing Arab suspect believed to be an ISIS-linked Moroccan national.
According to the sources, the suspect was identified through forensic exploitation conducted in collaboration with international partners after troops recovered a camcorder from the battlefield during the Cross Kauwa attack.
The device, reportedly belonging to a terrorist cameraman who was neutralised, allegedly contained video footage that led investigators to the suspect.
Military sources said the suspect was immediately airlifted by a Nigerian Air Force helicopter to a secure location for interrogation and intelligence exploitation.
Describing the arrest as a significant breakthrough, the sources said it could help dismantle ISWAP’s foreign support network and provide valuable intelligence for ongoing counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad region.
The military added that further details would be made public as investigations progress and operational considerations permit.
