Failed Borno attack exposes foreign trainers within ISWAP ranks.

Troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have successfully repelled an ambush and foiled an attempted infiltration by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists into Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to intelligence obtained after the operation, video evidence recovered from the scene revealed the involvement of foreign facilitators within the terrorist network. The footage indicated that a Palestinian trainer and a Moroccan doctor were among the insurgents during the failed operation, which was reportedly aimed at looting medical supplies.
Acting Media Information Officer of OPHK, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the attack was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds) alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators. He said vigilant troops detected the movement early and responded with coordinated firepower, inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists and forcing them to retreat.
Captain Goni said troops later carried out exploitation operations and recovered a Sony camcorder from a slain ISWAP cameraman, along with ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment. Preliminary analysis of the videos recovered from the device showed that the operation involved four senior ISWAP commanders and three foreign facilitators.
The foreign nationals were identified as a Palestinian known as Abu Ishaq, believed to be the group’s chief trainer, a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, who reportedly serves as a medical doctor within the terrorist network, and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established.
The military said the latest findings further support intelligence indicating that ISWAP continues to receive foreign expertise and external support. It also noted that the terrorists’ attempt to seize medical supplies appeared to validate recent intelligence reports suggesting a cholera outbreak within insurgent camps.
“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.
“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,” Goni stated.
He explained that after successfully repelling the attack, troops secured the area and conducted further exploitation to determine the extent of the terrorists’ losses. During the operation, they recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items.
According to him, initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery showed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal. He added that credible human intelligence sources later confirmed the group suffered heavy casualties, while several others sustained gunshot wounds.
Captain Goni also disclosed that two soldiers sustained gunshot injuries during the firefight and were immediately airlifted for advanced medical treatment. He said both personnel remain in stable condition.
He described the failed infiltration as another major operational setback for ISWAP, noting that it capped a difficult weekend for the terrorist group following sustained military offensives and increased pressure across the North East Theatre.
According to him, the outcome demonstrates the growing difficulty terrorists face in carrying out coordinated attacks against alert and combat-ready troops while further weakening their operational capability, morale and freedom of movement.
Goni further said the successful defence of the frontline reflects the unwavering vigilance and combat readiness of Operation HADIN KAI troops, stressing that the forces remain committed to sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across Nigeria’s North East.