Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), successfully repelled a coordinated infiltration attempt by suspected ISWAP terrorists on Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday, July 11, 2026, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers. The operation also led to the recovery of a camcorder containing intelligence materials linking the attack to foreign terrorist facilitators, including a Palestinian and a Moroccan national.
Details of the Attack
The attack occurred at approximately 10:20 p.m. on July 11, when scores of terrorists attempted to breach the military position under the cover of darkness. According to a statement by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, the troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower. This compelled the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses.
The attempted looting supports recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports of the execution of some affected members by the group. The successful defence of the location demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness, and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.
Recovery of Camcorder and Foreign Facilitators
During the engagement, a terrorist cameraman was neutralised, leading to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials. Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai'ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators.
The foreign nationals identified include a Palestinian Arab known 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 reinforces intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from external support, specialist expertise, and transnational terrorist linkages.
Aftermath and Casualties
Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists' losses. During the operation, troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62 mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms, and other combat enablers. Initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal. This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement.
Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care. Both personnel remain in stable condition. 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.
Military Commitment
The outcome underscores the increasing difficulty the terrorists face in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops, while further degrading their combat capability, morale, and freedom of action. According to the statement, Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities, and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North East.
