Troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have repelled an attempted infiltration by suspected ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several insurgents, recovering operational materials and uncovering preliminary evidence pointing to the involvement of foreign terrorist facilitators.
According to an official statement by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the attack occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to overrun the troops’ position.
The statement said alert troops detected the movement early and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, forcing the terrorists to abandon their mission and retreat after suffering heavy casualties.
Military authorities disclosed that the insurgents had reportedly intended to loot cholera medical supplies, a development they said reinforces recent intelligence indicating a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports that some infected members had been executed by the group.
During the encounter, troops neutralised a terrorist cameraman and recovered a Sony camcorder containing operational footage and propaganda materials. Preliminary forensic analysis of the recordings reportedly revealed that the failed attack was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
The foreign operatives were identified as a Palestinian Arab known as Abu Ishaq, believed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, described as a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity has yet to be established.
According to the military, the findings further support intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.
Following the successful defence of the location, troops conducted exploitation operations, recovering the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment.
The statement added that post-engagement satellite imagery showed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their fighters during their withdrawal. This, it said, was corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, while several others sustained gunshot wounds.
Two soldiers were wounded during the exchange of fire and were immediately evacuated by air for advanced medical treatment. The military said both personnel are in stable condition.
Operation HADIN KAI described the failed infiltration as another major setback for ISWAP, noting that sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East continue to degrade the group’s operational capability, morale and freedom of movement.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North East.
