Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed an alleged cameraman for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a failed terrorist attack in Borno State, recovering a Sony camcorder containing footage of the group’s operations and propaganda activities.
The Nigerian military said the terrorists attempted to infiltrate troops’ position at Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area at about 10:20 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2026, but were repelled after a fierce gun battle.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Goni, vigilant troops detected the insurgents’ movement early and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing them to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.
Goni said the terrorists had intended to loot cholera medical supplies before their attack was foiled.
He disclosed that the death of the alleged ISWAP cameraman led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing sensitive operational footage, including videos believed to have been used for propaganda and documentation of the group’s activities.
A preliminary forensic examination of the device, he said, indicated that the failed operation was allegedly coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
The military identified two of the foreign nationals as Abu Ishaq, described as a Palestinian Arab believed to be ISWAP’s chief trainer, and Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan Arab and medical doctor reportedly working with the terrorist group. A third Arab operative has yet to be identified.
According to Goni, the involvement of the foreign nationals supports intelligence indicating that ISWAP continues to receive external assistance, specialist expertise, and maintains links with transnational terrorist networks.
Troops also recovered several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm special ammunition, terrorist uniforms, and other combat equipment during follow-up exploitation operations.
The military further said post-engagement satellite imagery showed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their dead fighters, a development it said was later confirmed by credible human intelligence sources, which also reported that several other insurgents sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.
Two Nigerian soldiers were wounded during the exchange of fire and were airlifted for advanced medical treatment. The military said both personnel are in stable condition.
Operation Hadin Kai described the failed infiltration as another major setback for ISWAP, noting that it followed sustained military offensives and increased pressure on terrorist groups operating across the North-East.
