Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a suspected foreign operative with alleged links to the Islamic State (ISIS), following a failed attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The arrest came after military forces repelled the coordinated assault and launched follow-up operations along the insurgents’ withdrawal routes. Security analysts and military sources confirmed the development, highlighting the significance of the capture in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad region.
The operation intensified after ISWAP fighters attempted to breach Cross Kauwa, a strategic location in northeastern Nigeria. Nigerian troops successfully repelled the attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the insurgents. In the aftermath, military units conducted exploitation operations, scouring the areas the attackers used to retreat. These efforts led to the recovery of critical operational materials, including high-frequency hand-held radios (HHR) and other communication devices believed to be vital to the command and control network of the terrorist group.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region, the recovered communication equipment provided valuable intelligence. This intelligence prompted troops to expand their operations into the Lake Chad Islands axis and Abadam Local Government Area, where the suspected foreign operative was apprehended. The suspect, described as an Arab of Moroccan origin, is believed to have played a key role in ISWAP’s operational planning, training, communications, and media activities.
Military sources revealed that the suspect was identified during a forensic analysis of video footage recovered from a camcorder belonging to a terrorist cameraman killed during the failed attack on Cross Kauwa. The camcorder, which contained footage of ISWAP activities, was examined by intelligence experts who traced the suspect’s appearance and movements. This forensic breakthrough proved crucial in narrowing down the search and leading to his arrest.
The suspect has since been evacuated by a Nigerian Air Force helicopter to a secure military facility for interrogation. Security agencies are currently investigating his alleged role within the terrorist network, his connections to ISIS, and any involvement in planning or executing attacks. The arrest underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the collaboration between military and security units in combating terrorism in the region.
This development marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to dismantle terrorist networks with international links. As security forces continue to target foreign operatives and disrupt communication channels, the fight against insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin remains a top national priority. The capture of this suspect could lead to further breakthroughs in dismantling ISWAP’s operational infrastructure and preventing future attacks.
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