Troops reveal how Moroccan doctor, Arab trainer were found among Boko Haram fighters

The soldiers from 19 Brigade of Sector 3 of Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have repelled a plan by the ISWAP terrorists to infiltrate Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Acting Media Information Officer of the Operation, Captain Mohammed Goni in a statement to the media on Sunday stated that the infiltration operation was organized by four ISWAP terrorists commanders (Qai’d).

He further stated that alert soldiers noticed their movement and retaliated with firepower causing heavy losses among them compelling them to retreat and abort the mission.

Following up the attack, troops seized a Sony camcorder from an ISWAP cameraman who was killed during the attack together with ammunitions, uniforms and other combat equipment of the terrorists.

He also stated that from the preliminary analysis of the video recording retrieved from the device, the operation involved four senior ISWAP commanders and three foreign facilitators.

The foreigners included a Palestinian known as Abu Ishaq, thought to be the chief trainer in the gang, a Moroccan referred to as Abu Thaiba, reported to be a medical doctor in the terror group, and a third Arab whose name is not yet known.

According to the military, the finding strengthens the intelligence indicating that ISWAP is still getting foreign expertise and support.

Also, the effort by the terror group to obtain medical materials strengthened recent intelligence findings regarding an outbreak of cholera among insurgents.

“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.

“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.

“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” he said.

The successful defence of the position further underscores the alertness, preparedness for combat and operational efficiency of the soldiers who have continued to deny the terrorists the liberty to operate in the North East Theatre.

Operation HADIN KAI continues to be resolute in conducting offensive operations, securing vulnerable populations, and dismantling terrorist networks until permanent peace and security are achieved in the North East.