By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

Boko Haram has released a video tribute to one of its media operatives, Abu Salim al-Barnawi, who was reportedly killed during a failed attack on a Nigerian military formation, offering a rare glimpse into the activities of the terrorist group’s propaganda machinery.

The three-minute video, narrated in Arabic and obtained by security sources, depicts al-Barnawi filming combat operations and participating in several missions conducted by the insurgent group. The footage appears to have been produced as a posthumous tribute following his death during a recent military engagement.

According to the Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, the deceased insurgent was not only a cameraman but had also previously led cross-border raids into neighbouring Cameroon before being assigned to the group’s media unit.

Capt. Goni disclosed that the terrorist was killed during an unsuccessful attempt by insurgents to attack a Nigerian military camp in the North-East. The operation, he said, ended with troops repelling the attackers and inflicting significant casualties on the group.

Security officials noted that the video released by Boko Haram effectively confirmed the death of the operative, who played a key role in documenting and disseminating the group’s activities for propaganda purposes.

The military believes such media operatives are crucial to terrorist organisations, as they help produce videos and publications aimed at recruitment, radicalisation, and projecting strength despite battlefield losses.

Earlier this month, troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded another major success when they neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) cameraman during a counter-terrorism operation in Borno State.

Military authorities revealed that materials recovered from the slain operative included video recordings and intelligence documents suggesting the involvement of foreign facilitators within terrorist networks operating in the region.

Among those identified were a Palestinian national allegedly serving as a trainer and a Moroccan national reportedly working as a medical practitioner for the insurgent group.

Capt. Goni stated that the breakthrough followed a failed infiltration attempt by ISWAP fighters into Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to him, the terrorists had attempted to take advantage of darkness to breach military positions and loot medical supplies intended for cholera response efforts in the area.

The troops, however, detected the movement of the insurgents and engaged them in a fierce firefight, forcing the attackers to retreat while leaving casualties behind.

Following the encounter, soldiers conducted a thorough exploitation of the battlefield and recovered several operational items abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

Items recovered included a Sony camcorder believed to have been used for recording terrorist propaganda videos, several rounds of PKT ammunition, 7.62mm special ammunition, military-style uniforms, and other combat equipment.

Security analysts say the recovery of media equipment from insurgent fighters highlights the growing importance terrorist groups attach to information warfare and propaganda in sustaining their operations.

The latest development underscores the continued pressure being mounted by Nigerian troops against Boko Haram and ISWAP elements across the North-East, as military operations target not only combat units but also the propaganda networks that support extremist activities.