Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled an attempted attack by ISWAP fighters on Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the insurgents.
The attempted infiltration occurred at about 22:20 WAT on July 11, 2026, when terrorists tried to breach the town’s defences but were successfully pushed back by troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3.
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In a statement, the Acting Military Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, confirmed that the troops responded swiftly, forcing the attackers to retreat after a gun battle.
Military authorities indicated that beyond the battlefield losses suffered by the insurgents, the failed assault has yielded fresh intelligence.
The information reportedly suggests the presence of foreign elements within the terrorist network, raising concerns that ISWAP’s operational capacity may be supported by external expertise in addition to local recruitment.
Captain Goni added that the terrorists were believed to have attempted to loot cholera medical supplies, a development the military said lends further support to recent intelligence indicating a disease outbreak within some ISWAP enclaves.
According to him, one of the most significant outcomes of the encounter was the recovery of a Sony camcorder from a neutralised terrorist cameraman.
Military authorities said preliminary forensic analysis of its contents revealed operational footage and propaganda materials linked to the group.
The military further alleged that the latest recordings point to the involvement of four senior ISWAP commanders working alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
The individuals were identified as a Palestinian known as Abu Ishaq, reportedly serving as the group’s chief trainer, a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, described as a medical doctor within the network, and another unidentified Arab operative.
Following the engagement, troops conducted exploitation operations across the area, recovering the camcorder, terrorist uniforms, ammunition and other combat materials abandoned during the retreat.
Military authorities stated that post-strike satellite imagery, supported by human intelligence, indicated that the fleeing insurgents evacuated several bodies while numerous others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Two Nigerian soldiers sustained gunshot injuries during the firefight and were evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment. Both personnel were reported to be in stable condition.
The latest operation represents another setback for ISWAP as Operation HADIN KAI continues sustained offensive operations aimed at degrading terrorist logistics, restricting operational mobility and preventing coordinated attacks across the North-East.
