…Recovers Intelligence Materials, Weapons From f
Fleeing Terrorists
Video Evidence Links Four Top ISWAP Commanders To Attack
Daud Olatunji
The Nigerian military has uncovered the involvement of foreign nationals, including a Moroccan doctor and a Palestinian trainer, in a failed infiltration attempt by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province into Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3 of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, foiled the attack after intercepting the insurgents and engaging them with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat with heavy casualties.
The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to Goni, troops detected the movement of the terrorists in advance and successfully repelled the assault before launching exploitation operations in the area.
He said the troops 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 abandoned by the fleeing insurgents.
The military said preliminary analysis of video recordings retrieved from the camcorder exposed the identities of key figures involved in the failed operation, including four senior ISWAP commanders, also known as Qai’ds, and three foreign terrorist facilitators.
Goni identified one of the foreign operatives as Abu Ishaq, a Palestinian believed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer, while another, Abu Thaiba, a Moroccan, was described as a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network. He added that a third Arab operative involved in the mission had yet to be identified.
“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,” he said.
The spokesman noted that the discovery further reinforced intelligence reports suggesting that ISWAP continued to enjoy external support, specialist expertise and links to transnational terrorist networks.
He also disclosed that intelligence indicated the insurgents were attempting to seize medical supplies, a move believed to be connected to a suspected cholera outbreak in their camps.
According to Goni, satellite imagery obtained after the encounter showed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their slain fighters during their withdrawal.
He added that credible human intelligence later confirmed that many insurgents were killed while several others sustained gunshot wounds during the failed operation.
The military, however, said two soldiers sustained injuries during the firefight and were immediately airlifted for advanced medical treatment. Both personnel are currently in stable condition.
Describing the operation as another major blow to ISWAP, Goni said the failed infiltration underscored the growing pressure on the terrorist group following sustained military offensives across the North-East.
“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 reaffirmed that Operation HADIN KAI would continue aggressive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, protecting vulnerable communities and restoring lasting peace across the North-East.
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