Nigerian troops say they have recovered a cache of propaganda material after killing an alleged cameraman for the terrorist group Daesh during a failed attack in the country's northeast.
The military said the cameraman was among terrorists killed when troops code-named Operation HADIN KAI repelled an attempted overnight assault on their position in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday.
“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists' losses,” the army said.
The military said the footage offers fresh insight into the terror group's operations and foreign links.
Propaganda recordings
According to Operation Hadin Kai, soldiers recovered a Sony camcorder from the scene containing videos of the group's activities, including operational footage and propaganda recordings.
“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,” the army statement read.
Military spokesperson Mohammed Goni said an initial forensic review of the device suggested the attack had been coordinated by four senior Daesh commanders, known as Qai'ds, alongside three foreign fighters.
“They include an 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.”
Weapons seized
Troops also recovered ammunition, military-style uniforms and other equipment during follow-up operations after the clash, the military said.
Satellite imagery and intelligence gathered after the fighting indicated that retreating terrorists removed the bodies of some of those killed, while several others were believed to have been wounded, according to the military.
Two Nigerian soldiers were injured during the firefight and evacuated by air for treatment. Both are in stable condition, Operation Hadin Kai said.
Nigeria is battling terrorist groups, including regional offshoots of the Deash organisation and Boko Haram. It has also carried out strikes and operations against non-ideological violent gangs of criminals, known as "bandits", who carry out kidnappings for ransom.
