Troops kill ISWAP cameraman in Borno forest, Zamfara bandit Kachalla eliminated

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province cameraman and recovered video materials indicating the presence of three foreign facilitators in Borno state.

Military sources say the facilitators include a Palestinian Arab identified as a trainer and a Moroccan Arab serving as a medical doctor for the terrorist group.

Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

He said the operational success was recorded on Saturday, following a failed infiltration attempt by members of ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa local government area of Borno state.

Goni said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies.

“Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa local government area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.

“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre,” it said.

The statement said the failed attack occurred about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.

“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses,” Goni said.

He explained that the attempted looting further lends credence to 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 neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led 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. They 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,” he added.

The spokesman further said the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals further reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.

“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses,” he added.

Goni said troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items during the operation.

He further stated that 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,” he said.

However, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care, adding that both personnel remained 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,” he said.

The statement added that the outcome underscored the increasing difficulty the terrorists faced in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.

“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,” he assured.

…Police confirm Kachalla killed

In a related development, the police have confirmed the killing of notorious bandit, Kachalla Sani Yellow, one of the most notorious armed group leaders operating in Zamfara state.

The force, however, said its personnel did not participate in the operation that led to his death.

Command’s spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the development to Premium Times Sunday, saying the police could only verify his  death and not the circumstances surrounding the operation.

“We have confirmed the killing, but it’s not our operation that conducted the operation,” Abubakar said in a telephone interview.

He said the outlaw was killed on Saturday in Anka local government area of Zamfara state, but declined to provide further operational details because the police were not involved.

“Yesterday in Anka Local Government. That is all what I know,” he said.

When asked whether any weapons were recovered from the scene, the police spokesperson said the command had no information.

“I told you in the first speech that we are not the ones who conducted the operation. Whatever was recovered there, we are not in the picture,” he said.

Abubakar authorised the online newspaper to quote him strictly on the confirmation of the bandit’s death.

Conflicting accounts

Although the police confirmed Yellow’s death, conflicting accounts have emerged regarding how he was killed.

Some media reports claimed he was killed by hunters and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force after they repelled a bandit attack in Anka local government area.

PRNigeria, citing unnamed security and community sources, reported that the operation was an intelligence ambush carried out by hybrid security forces comprising local volunteers and reformed former Boko Haram fighters working alongside security agencies in some operational areas.

According to the report, the operatives tracked the bandit leader through community intelligence and intercepted him while he was allegedly visiting a local market to collect proceeds from rustled livestock and negotiate ransom payments.

Another account, published by SaharaReporters and attributed to security sources, claimed the notorious commander may have been ambushed at Dan Jibga Market by armed men believed to be loyal to rival bandit leader Dogo Gide.