The Nigerian military has revealed the presence of foreign nationals within the ranks of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), following a successful counter-terrorism operation conducted by troops of the 19 Brigade, Sector 3 of the Joint Task Force North East under Operation HADIN KAI in Borno State.
According to military sources, the operation was launched after credible intelligence indicated that ISWAP fighters were planning to infiltrate the troops’ area of responsibility. Acting on the intelligence, the soldiers mounted a coordinated operation that successfully repelled the attempted infiltration and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle.
The military said several insurgents were neutralised during the operation, dealing another significant blow to the terrorist group. Among those killed was an individual identified as the group’s cameraman, who was reportedly responsible for recording attacks, producing propaganda videos and documenting the activities of the insurgents for dissemination through the group’s media channels.
Following the clearance operation, troops carried out an extensive exploitation of the area to recover weapons, intelligence materials and other items abandoned by the fleeing terrorists. It was during this phase of the operation that the military uncovered evidence pointing to the involvement of foreign nationals in the activities of the terrorist organisation.
According to the findings, a Moroccan national was discovered to have been serving as a medical doctor for the insurgents. The individual reportedly provided medical treatment to wounded fighters and offered healthcare support within the terrorist camp. Military sources said the discovery highlights the level of organisation within the terrorist network and its ability to recruit individuals with specialised professional skills.
The troops also discovered that an Arab national had been serving as a military trainer for the group. The foreign trainer was said to have been responsible for providing specialised instruction to ISWAP fighters in combat tactics, weapons handling and other operational skills aimed at improving the group’s fighting capability.
Security officials described the discoveries as a major intelligence breakthrough, noting that they further expose the international dimension of terrorism affecting Nigeria’s North-East. According to the military, the presence of foreign specialists within ISWAP underscores the need for sustained regional and international cooperation in combating terrorism and disrupting transnational support networks that provide expertise and resources to extremist groups.
In addition to the intelligence discoveries, troops recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition, communication equipment and other logistics used by the terrorists.
Military authorities said the recovered items would aid ongoing investigations and provide valuable intelligence for future operations against insurgent groups operating across the region.
The military noted that the successful operation forms part of the sustained offensive by Operation HADIN KAI to degrade the operational capabilities of Boko Haram and ISWAP. Over the past several months, troops have intensified ground and air operations, leading to the elimination of several terrorist commanders, destruction of camps and recovery of large quantities of arms and ammunition.
Authorities reiterated that the armed forces remain committed to protecting communities across the North-East and ensuring that terrorist groups are denied freedom of movement. They added that troops would continue to carry out intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist cells, intercepting planned attacks and restoring lasting peace to areas affected by insurgency.
The military further urged residents of the North-East to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities within their communities. It stressed that public cooperation remains vital to ongoing efforts to defeat terrorism and improve security across the region.
The latest operation demonstrates the determination of Operation HADIN KAI to sustain pressure on insurgent groups while exposing the networks that support their activities. Military authorities expressed confidence that continued operations, backed by actionable intelligence and the support of local communities, would further weaken the capabilities of terrorist organisations and contribute to lasting peace and stability in Nigeria’s North-East. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
