Troops of the Nigerian Army under ‘Operation HADIN KAI’, with support from the Nigerian Air Force and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have repelled an attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a military location in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack occurred on Monday, September 7, 2026, as troops were conducting ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the area.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the acting Military Information Officer, headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), ‘Operation HADIN KAI’, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the terrorists launched an assault on the military position but were met with sustained firepower and determined resistance from the troops.
Goni said the troops successfully held their positions and prevented the attackers from breaching or overrunning the military location.
He added that the resistance forced the terrorists to abandon the attack and withdraw from the area with casualties, while military positions across Pulka remained under the control of the security forces.
The military spokesman said the air component of ‘Operation HADIN KAI’ provided timely intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support during the engagement.
According to him, air assets maintained surveillance of the area and subsequently carried out precision strikes against identified hostile elements as they attempted to withdraw.
The strikes, he said, disrupted the terrorists’ movement and frustrated their efforts to regroup.
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The CJTF also provided local intelligence and supported the troops in maintaining situational awareness during the operation.
Goni disclosed that one soldier sustained a gunshot wound to his left arm during the encounter.
He said the injured soldier was immediately evacuated for medical attention, stabilised, and was responding to treatment, with his condition described as stable.
Following the withdrawal of the terrorists, troops commenced exploitation operations to assess the damage inflicted on the attackers, recover abandoned weapons and equipment, and gather intelligence for possible follow-up operations against the fleeing elements.
The military described the successful defence of the position as a demonstration of the troops’ combat readiness, determination and courage in confronting terrorist threats in the North-East.
Goni said the coordinated response involving ground troops, the air component and the CJTF underscored the importance of joint operations in countering terrorist activities in the region.
He added that troops remained deployed and on heightened alert across Pulka, with aggressive patrols, surveillance and other offensive and defensive operations continuing.
The military, he said, would sustain pressure on terrorist elements while taking measures to protect the lives and property of residents.
The public was also urged to remain vigilant and provide credible information about suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest security formation.
