Boko Haram has released an obituary video for one of its cameramen, identified as Abu Salim al-Barnawi, who was reportedly killed by Nigerian troops during an attempted attack on a military position in Borno State.
The three-minute video, narrated in Arabic, features al-Barnawi handling a camera and participating in activities linked to the terrorist group.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, said the deceased terrorist had previously participated in raids in Cameroon before joining the group’s media wing.
According to a statement accompanying the video, al-Barnawi was killed during an attack on a Nigerian military camp, where he was reportedly operating as the group’s cameraman.
The statement described him as a former raid commander who later joined the media wing of the terrorist organisation.
The development follows an earlier military operation in which troops of Operation Hadin Kai reportedly neutralised an ISWAP cameraman and recovered video materials that allegedly indicated the presence of three foreign facilitators in the terrorist group.
The military said the operation followed an unsuccessful attempt by ISWAP fighters to infiltrate a military position in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Captain Goni said the terrorists attempted to use the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and steal medical supplies meant for cholera treatment.
He said troops recovered a Sony camcorder, ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat equipment during the operation.
The military authorities said the operation further disrupted the activities of the terrorist group and resulted in the death of the cameraman identified as Abu Salim al-Barnawi.
