By Peace Udugba
The United States has disclosed that a recent counterterrorism operation in northeastern Nigeria led to the recovery of what it described as the largest cache of terrorist electronic intelligence ever seized by the U.S. since the September 11, 2001, attacks.
According to U.S. intelligence officials, the operation targeted suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad region, near Metele in Borno State.
Security sources said the raid resulted in the recovery of hundreds of electronic devices, including laptops, mobile phones and hard drives, believed to contain valuable intelligence on the terrorist group’s operations, funding networks and communications.
Sources familiar with the operation told Irohinoodua that the volume of the recovered devices was so large that an aircraft had to be deployed to airlift them from the operation area.
A security expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the recovery underscores the growing sophistication of ISWAP’s operational and communication networks.
“The devices are a clear indication of the sophistication of ISWAP’s network in Nigeria and beyond,” the source said.
U.S. officials reportedly described the recovered materials as “three times larger than any enemy electronics capture since 9/11,” adding that the intelligence gathered could significantly enhance ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
The officials also said about 199 suspected jihadists were killed during the operation.
The recovered electronic devices are expected to undergo extensive forensic analysis by U.S. intelligence agencies to uncover information on ISWAP’s financing, recruitment, logistics and operational structure. The intelligence obtained is expected to be shared with Nigeria and other allied countries involved in the fight against terrorism.
Speaking in an interview with Marissa Streit, Chief Executive Officer of PragerU, Deputy Assistant to U.S. President Donald Trump for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, Sebastian Gorka, described the operation as a major counterterrorism success.
“This is the biggest neutralisation of enemy killed in action since September 11. One hundred and ninety-nine jihadists who will not harm Americans again,” Gorka was quoted as saying.
