Military Repels ISWAP Attack in Borno, Kills Cameraman and Uncovers Palestine Fighter, Moroccan Doctor
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The Nigerian military has announced that its troops successfully repelled an attempted attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State, killing one of the group’s cameramen and recovering multimedia equipment that reportedly revealed the involvement of foreign operatives within the terrorist organization.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Lieutenant Colonel Muhammed Goni, Acting Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai, the operation was carried out on Saturday when ISWAP fighters attempted to infiltrate Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area under the cover of darkness.
The military said vigilant troops from the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, detected the advancing terrorists before they could reach their objective and engaged them with coordinated firepower. The insurgents were reportedly forced to retreat after suffering significant casualties, abandoning what the military described as an attempt to steal cholera medical supplies from the area.
During the operation, security forces recovered a Sony camcorder belonging to an ISWAP media operative who was neutralised in the fighting. Subsequent forensic examination of the recorded footage allegedly identified three foreign collaborators linked to the terrorist network.
The military named the individuals as Abu Ishaq, described as a Palestinian Arab serving as ISWAP’s chief trainer; Abu Thaiba, identified as a Moroccan Arab and medical doctor working within the group; and a third Arab operative whose identity has not yet been confirmed.
Military authorities stated that intelligence gathered from the recovered materials indicates that the failed operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders with support from the three foreign facilitators. Officials said the findings reinforce previous intelligence assessments suggesting that the terrorist group continues to benefit from external assistance, specialised expertise, and transnational connections.
The statement further noted that the militants’ attempt to seize cholera medical supplies appears to support recent intelligence reports indicating that a cholera outbreak may be affecting ISWAP-controlled enclaves.
According to the military, post-battle satellite imagery and human intelligence sources showed insurgents removing the bodies of several fighters from the battlefield, while many
