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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an ISWAP cameraman and recovered video recordings indicating the presence of three foreign terrorist facilitators, including a Palestinian identified as the group’s trainer and a Moroccan serving as a medical doctor for the insurgents.

The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

According to him, the operational success was recorded on Saturday after troops foiled an infiltration attempt by members of the Islamic State West Africa Province into Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Goni said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies.

“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials.

“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded before the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.

“They include a Palestinian identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” Goni added.

Goni said the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.

Goni said the failed attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.

“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,” he said.

According to him, the attempted looting lends further credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports that some infected members had been executed by the group.

The statement added, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.

“The successful defence of the location 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.

“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses.”

The Army spokesman said troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment during the operation.

He added that initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery showed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their slain fighters during their withdrawal.

“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 said.

According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care. He added that both personnel remained in stable condition.

“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.

Goni added that the outcome underscored the increasing difficulty terrorists face in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops, while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.

“Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North-East,” he assured.

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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have inflicted “heavy losses” on terrorists in Borno, killing a cameraman with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). They also recovered multimedia materials with vital information about the activities of “foreign collaborators”.

In a statement on Sunday, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, Mohammed Goni, said they achieved the feat, having “decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray”.

Goni said the failed attack occurred at about 2220 hours (10:20 p.m.) on 11 July 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ location.

“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 neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials,” the statement read in part.

According to him, a preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded before the attack showed that the operation was “coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds) alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators”.

“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,” Goni said.

He said: “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.”

During exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses, Goni said troops also recovered several rounds of PKT and 7.62 mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms, and other combat enablers.

An initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal, he said

“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,” the statement read.

However, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were evacuated by air for “advanced medical care”.

“Both personnel remain in stable condition. 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.

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The Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye, has directed all herders to vacate every part of Otukpo Kingdom with immediate effect.

This follows Sunday’s attack on Nobi Village in Otukpo District where several persons were killed.

The directive was issued after an attack allegedly carried out by armed herders on Nobi Village on Sunday, July 12, 2026, amid growing security concerns in the area.

In a statement signed by the Secretary of the Otukpo District Traditional Council, Chief Udeh Adole, the traditional ruler said the continued presence of herders had become a serious threat to the safety, security and well-being of the people of Otukpo Kingdom.

He stressed that the directive should not be interpreted as prejudice or profiling against any group but described it as a necessary measure to safeguard lives and restore peace in the kingdom.

According to the statement, the monarch expressed deep concern over the recurring attacks allegedly linked to armed herders and lamented what he described as the continued neglect of his people, who he said had been left at the mercy of the attackers.

Chief Eimonye vowed that Otukpo District would not be taken over by any interest under his watch, insisting that the people of the Otukpo Abakwu Kingdom were determined to defend their ancestral land.

The traditional ruler called on relevant security agencies and authorities to take urgent steps to address the security situation and protect residents from further attacks.