The Nigerian Army has announced that troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled an attempted infiltration by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, the attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists allegedly attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to infiltrate the troops’ location.
Goni said troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, swiftly detected the movement and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing the insurgents to retreat after suffering significant losses.
He disclosed that intelligence suggests the terrorists intended to loot cholera medical supplies, adding that the attempted theft supports recent reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves. The Army also cited intelligence indicating that some infected members of the group had allegedly been executed by the terrorists.
The Army further stated that a suspected terrorist cameraman was neutralised during the operation, leading to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing what it described as sensitive operational and propaganda footage.
According to the statement, preliminary forensic analysis of the recovered recordings indicated that the failed operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
The Army identified the foreign nationals as a Palestinian identified as Abu Ishaq, whom it described as ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, said to be a medical doctor working with the group; and another unidentified Arab operative.
The statement said the findings reinforce intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to receive external support, specialist expertise and maintains transnational terrorist links.
Following the engagement, troops conducted exploitation operations in the area, recovering the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat-related items.
The Army also said post-engagement satellite imagery showed suspected terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their fighters during the withdrawal, a development it said was corroborated by credible human intelligence sources confirming heavy casualties and multiple gunshot wounds among the attackers.
Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were airlifted for advanced medical treatment. The Army said both personnel are in stable condition.
Goni described the failed assault as another major operational setback for ISWAP, noting that it followed sustained military offensives across the North-East theatre.
He reaffirmed Operation HADIN KAI’s commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups, protecting vulnerable communities and restoring lasting peace and security across the region
