TROOPS of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have foiled an attempted infiltration by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists into Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Acting Media Information Officer of the operation, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, saying the attack was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders, known as Qai’ds, alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
According to him, vigilant troops detected the movement of the terrorists early and responded with coordinated firepower, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to abandon the operation.
Goni said troops immediately dominated the area and launched follow-up exploitation operations to determine the full extent of the terrorists’ losses.
During the operation, soldiers recovered a Sony camcorder belonging to a slain ISWAP cameraman, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment.
According to him, preliminary analysis of video recordings found on the recovered device revealed that the failed operation involved four senior ISWAP commanders and three foreign facilitators.
The foreign nationals were identified as a Palestinian, Abu Ishaq, believed to be the group’s chief trainer; a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, who reportedly serves as a medical doctor within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity has yet to be established.
“The attackers include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” Goni said.
He noted that the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals further reinforce intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.
“The presence and active involvement of these foreign nationals further reinforces intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages,” he added.
The military also said the terrorists’ apparent attempt to seize medical supplies lends credence to recent intelligence reports suggesting a cholera outbreak in insurgent camps.
Goni disclosed that initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery showed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal from the area.
He said the satellite evidence was later corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, while several others sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight.
“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement,” he stated.
The military spokesman added that two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and were immediately evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment.
“Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care. Both personnel remain in stable condition,” he said.
According to Goni, the failed infiltration attempt represents another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group amid sustained military offensives and increased pressure across the North-East theatre.
“The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East Theatre,” he said.
He added that the latest development underscores the increasing difficulties terrorists face in carrying out coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops, while further weakening their combat capability, morale and operational freedom.
“The outcome underscores the increasing difficulty the terrorists face in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops, while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action,” Goni added.
The military spokesman said the successful defence of Kukawa further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North-East theatre.
He reaffirmed that Operation HADIN KAI remains committed to sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the region.