Troops Neutralize ISWAP Cameraman, Recovers Camcorder in Gwoza

By Tgnews Team

Nigerian Army troops under Operation Hadin Kai have delivered a significant blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), neutralizing a key terrorist cameraman and seizing a sophisticated camcorder used for propaganda during a failed assault on Bitta town in Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.

The operation not only thwarted a coordinated attack but also disrupted ISWAP’s ability to spread fear through its media campaigns, marking a critical psychological and intelligence victory.

According to security sources, the clash occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, July 22, when ISWAP fighters, armed with gun trucks and motorcycles, launched a surprise attack on Bitta, a strategic town in Nigeria’s restive northeast.

The troops responded with fierce resistance, engaging the insurgents in a prolonged firefight that overwhelmed the attackers. Among those neutralized was an ISWAP cameraman, identifiable by his ruggedized camcorder and media pouches strapped to his vest, who was attempting to record the assault for propaganda purposes.

The seized camcorder, now in military custody, contained footage that security forces are analyzing for intelligence

The seized camcorder, now in military custody, contained footage that security forces are analyzing for intelligence. Sources indicate that ISWAP intended to use the material to produce fear-inducing videos glorifying the attack and spreading false narratives through online channels.

The neutralization of the cameraman and recovery of the equipment represent a significant disruption to ISWAP’s propaganda machine, which relies heavily on media to project strength and recruit fighters.

The operation also exposed a troubling network of local collaborators in Bitta, with evidence suggesting that some looting and burning during the attack were carried out by community-based ISWAP sympathizers who leaked troop movements to the terrorists. One civilian, suspected to be an informant, was killed by a stray bullet during the chaos, further highlighting the complex interplay of local complicity in the insurgency.

The military is now intensifying efforts to dismantle these networks, with follow-up operations targeting fleeing insurgents.

The operation comes amid a surge in ISWAP and Boko Haram activities in Borno, with the groups increasingly targeting military bases and civilian communities

This latest success underscores the Nigerian Army’s growing coordination with air forces and local vigilante groups, as demonstrated by the swift response that repelled the attack.

The operation comes amid a surge in ISWAP and Boko Haram activities in Borno, with the groups increasingly targeting military bases and civilian communities.

Despite these challenges, the military’s decisive action in Bitta signals a renewed resolve to counter the insurgents’ tactics, including their use of sophisticated technology like drones and media equipment.

As the Nigerian military continues its campaign against terrorism in the northeast, the neutralization of ISWAP’s cameraman and the seizure of their propaganda tools send a clear message: the fight against insurgency is not only on the battlefield but also in the realm of information warfare.