Troops Foil ISWAP Attack in Borno, Military Says Forensic Evidence Points to Foreign Terror Facilitators

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled an attempted infiltration by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, with the military saying preliminary forensic findings from items recovered after the encounter suggest the involvement of foreign terrorist facilitators.

The military said the attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m on Saturday when the insurgents attempted to breach the troops position under the cover of darkness. According to the Joint Task Force (North East), troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, detected the movement early and engaged the attackers with coordinated firepower, forcing them to retreat after suffering what it described as heavy casualties.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the successful defence of the military location demonstrated the vigilance and operational readiness of troops who continue to deny terrorist groups freedom of action across the North-East theatre.

The military alleged that the attackers had intended to loot cholera medical supplies stored in the area, saying the attempted theft appeared to support recent intelligence suggesting a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves. It also claimed that some members of the group allegedly affected by the disease had been executed by fellow insurgents.

According to the statement, one of the insurgents killed during the firefight was believed to be responsible for documenting the group’s operations. Troops recovered a Sony camcorder, which the military said contained operational footage and propaganda materials.

The military said preliminary forensic analysis of the recordings indicated that the failed operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign nationals. It identified one of them as Abu Ishaq, whom it described as a Palestinian believed to serve as the group’s overall trainer, while another was identified as Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan medical doctor allegedly working within the terrorist network. A third foreign operative, also believed to be of Arab origin, has yet to be identified.

The military said the findings reinforce its longstanding assessment that ISWAP continues to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist connections. However, the forensic analysis remains preliminary and has not been independently verified.

Following the engagement, troops carried out exploitation operations in the area and recovered the camcorder, quantities of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment.

The military added that post-engagement satellite imagery, supported by what it described as credible human intelligence, indicated that the insurgents evacuated the bodies of some of their fighters during their withdrawal, while many others were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.

Two soldiers were wounded during the exchange of fire and were evacuated by air 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, saying sustained military offensives across the North-East have continued to degrade the group’s combat capability and restrict its operational freedom.

The military reiterated its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups and protecting vulnerable communities until lasting peace and security are restored across the region.