By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have intensified counter-terrorism operations in Borno State following the failed attempt by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters to infiltrate Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of a suspected foreign ISIS operative.
Security sources said the arrest followed a successful military response that repelled a coordinated terrorist attack on Cross Kauwa, forcing the insurgents to retreat and abandon vital operational equipment.
Following the attack, troops launched aggressive search and pursuit operations along the routes used by the fleeing terrorists.
During the operation, troops recovered high-frequency hand-held radios and other communication devices believed to be part of ISWAP’s command and control network.
Sources said intelligence gathered from the recovered materials helped troops extend their operations towards the Lake Chad Islands axis and parts of Abadam Local Government Area.
The operation later led to the arrest of a suspected foreign national believed to be an Arab of Moroccan origin with alleged links to the Islamic State (ISIS).
According to military sources, the suspect had earlier attracted intelligence attention after forensic analysis of video footage obtained from a camcorder recovered from the scene of the Cross Kauwa encounter.
The device was reportedly recovered from a terrorist cameraman who was killed during the failed attack. Security experts noted that extremist groups often deploy media operatives during operations to record attacks for propaganda, recruitment and strategic assessment.
The recovered footage reportedly provided investigators with valuable information that assisted in identifying the foreign suspect.
After his arrest, the suspect was evacuated from the operational area by a Nigerian Air Force helicopter to a secure military facility, where he is currently undergoing interrogation and intelligence exploitation.
Military authorities are expected to investigate his alleged role within the terrorist network, his entry into Nigeria, possible links with international ISIS structures, and whether he participated in training, planning or media activities for ISWAP.
Security analysts described the arrest as a significant intelligence breakthrough that could provide fresh information on the organisation, financing and international connections of terrorist groups operating within the Lake Chad Basin.
The development also reinforces security assessments that foreign nationals continue to provide specialised support to extremist groups in areas such as communications, training, media operations and strategic coordination.
Although ISWAP is largely made up of local fighters from communities around the Lake Chad Basin, intelligence reports over the years have pointed to the involvement of foreign facilitators linked to the wider Islamic State network.
Military authorities, however, stressed that investigations into the suspect are ongoing and further details would not be released at this stage due to operational security concerns.
They added that information obtained from the interrogation could assist ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, expose additional terrorist networks and disrupt cross-border movement routes used by insurgents.
The latest development comes as Operation Hadin Kai sustains offensive operations across Borno State aimed at weakening terrorist networks, destroying logistics channels and preventing insurgents from rebuilding their presence in the Lake Chad region.
