Troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled an attempted overnight infiltration by suspected ISWAP terrorists in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several insurgents and forcing the attackers to flee.
In a statement made available to The News Chronicle, the military said the terrorists launched the attack at about 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, under the cover of darkness, allegedly targeting a location where cholera medical supplies were kept.
However, vigilant troops detected the movement early and unleashed overwhelming firepower, foiling the attack and forcing the insurgents to retreat with heavy casualties.
According to the military, the failed attempt to loot cholera medical supplies reinforces recent intelligence indicating a cholera outbreak within ISWAP camps, with reports that some infected members had been executed by the group.
In a major breakthrough, troops neutralised an ISWAP cameraman during the gun battle and recovered a Sony camcorder containing sensitive operational footage and propaganda materials.
Preliminary forensic analysis of the device revealed that the attack was allegedly coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
Among those identified were a Palestinian identified as Abu Ishaq, believed to be ISWAP’s chief trainer, a Moroccan doctor identified as Abu Thaiba, and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established.
The military said the discovery further supports intelligence that the terrorist group continues to receive foreign support, specialised expertise and transnational backing.
Following the successful operation, troops carried out exploitation missions in the area, recovering the Sony camcorder, PKT ammunition, 7.62mm special rounds, terrorist uniforms and other combat items.
Post-engagement satellite imagery and credible human intelligence reportedly confirmed that the fleeing terrorists evacuated several bodies while many others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and were immediately airlifted for advanced medical treatment. The military said both personnel are in stable condition.
Operation HADIN KAI described the failed assault as another major setback for ISWAP, stressing that sustained military offensives continue to degrade the group’s fighting capability, morale and operational freedom across the North-East.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining offensive operations until terrorism is completely defeated and lasting peace is restored in the region.
