By David Lawani, Abuja
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have uncovered fresh evidence of foreign involvement in the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) after killing a key propaganda operative and recovering video materials linking Moroccan and Palestinian nationals to the terrorist group’s operations in Nigeria’s North-East.
The breakthrough followed a failed attempt by ISWAP fighters to overrun military positions in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, in what security authorities described as another significant setback for the insurgents.
Acting Military Information Officer of Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to him, troops of the 19th Brigade under Sector 3 successfully repelled the attack after detecting suspicious movements around their positions late on Saturday night.
“Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray,” Goni stated.
Military authorities said the insurgents launched the operation at about 10:20 p.m., hoping to exploit the cover of darkness to penetrate military lines and cart away cholera medical supplies.
However, troops reportedly responded with superior firepower, disrupting the operation and compelling the terrorists to abandon the mission.
“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses,” the statement added.
The operation yielded an even more significant intelligence breakthrough following the killing of an ISWAP cameraman believed to be responsible for documenting attacks and producing propaganda content for the extremist group.
Troops recovered a Sony camcorder from the slain operative containing what military authorities described as highly sensitive footage of terrorist activities, operational briefings and propaganda productions.
Preliminary forensic analysis of the recordings exposed the direct involvement of foreign operatives playing strategic roles within the insurgent network.
Among those identified was a Palestinian Arab known as Abu Ishaq, believed to be the group’s chief trainer responsible for preparing fighters and coordinating tactical operations.
Investigators also identified a Moroccan national, Abu Thaiba, who reportedly serves as a medical doctor within the terrorist organisation and provides healthcare support to wounded fighters.
A third foreign operative, also believed to be an Arab national, appeared in the recordings but has yet to be identified by intelligence agencies.
“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded before the attack indicates that four senior ISWAP commanders coordinated the operation alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators,” Goni revealed.
He added, “They 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.”
Security analysts believe the discovery further reinforces concerns over the transnational nature of terrorism in the Lake Chad region and the enduring ties between local insurgent groups and international extremist networks.
The military also said the attempted theft of cholera medication appears to validate recent intelligence reports indicating that a cholera outbreak is spreading within terrorist enclaves.
According to the military, there are reports that the group executed some insurgents infected with the disease in an apparent effort to prevent the outbreak from spreading through their camps.
“The attempted looting further lends credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports of the execution of some affected members by the group,” Goni said.
The military described the latest operation as further proof of the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops deployed across the North-East theatre.
“The successful defence of the location 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 added.
The latest intelligence haul is expected to assist ongoing military operations aimed at dismantling the remaining ISWAP and Boko Haram cells operating in the Lake Chad basin and surrounding areas.
