Nigerian troops repel ISWAP raid in Borno, uncover foreign trainer and doctor

On 11 July 2026, troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North‑East under Operation Hadin Kai repelled an attempted infiltration by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters at Cross Kauwa in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The attackers, seeking to loot cholera medical supplies, were detected early and met with coordinated overwhelming firepower, sustaining heavy casualties and retreating in disarray.

During the clash a senior ISWAP cameraman was killed and a Sony camcorder was recovered. Preliminary forensic analysis of the footage identified three foreign facilitators: a Palestinian Arab, Abu Ishaq, described as the group’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab, Abu Thaiba, serving as a medical doctor; and an unnamed Arab operative. Troops also seized PKT ammunition, 7.62 mm rounds, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment. Two Nigerian soldiers were wounded and air‑evacuated for treatment.

The operation reinforced intelligence that ISWAP is receiving external expertise and that a cholera outbreak may be affecting insurgent camps. A separate air‑strike later in the week, also part of Operation Hadin Kai, destroyed a suspected ISWAP stronghold and logistics hub in the Yaganari area of Borno, further degrading the group’s operational capacity.