NAF fighter jet
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, backed by the Nigerian Air Force and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have successfully repelled an attempted attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on a military location in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack occurred on September 7, 2026, while troops were conducting ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the area, according to a statement by the acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters JTF (North East) OPHK Maiduguri Captain Mohammed Goni.
According to the military, the terrorists launched a coordinated assault on the military position but encountered stiff resistance from the troops, who held their ground throughout the engagement.
The military said the sustained response forced the attackers to abandon the operation and retreat with casualties, while the military base remained firmly under the control of security forces.
The statement explained that the operation received crucial support from the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, which provided Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to improve situational awareness and coordination during the battle.
As the insurgents retreated from the battlefield, air assets reportedly carried out precision strikes on identified targets, disrupting their escape and preventing them from regrouping.
The Civilian Joint Task Force also supported the operation by providing local intelligence and assisting troops with information on activities within the area.
During the exchange of fire, one soldier sustained a gunshot wound to the left arm. Military authorities said the injured personnel was immediately evacuated for treatment and is responding well after being stabilised.
Following the failed attack, troops launched exploitation operations aimed at assessing the damage inflicted on the terrorists, recovering weapons and equipment abandoned during the retreat, and gathering intelligence to support further operations against the fleeing insurgents.
Acting Military Information Officer at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the outcome of the operation reflected the determination and combat readiness of the troops.
According to him, “The successful defence of the military position once again underscores the determination, bravery and combat readiness of troops of Operation HADIN KAI. Faced with an aggressive terrorist assault, the troops refused to yield ground and effectively frustrated the attackers’ attempt to disrupt military operations in Pulka.”
He added that the coordinated efforts of the ground forces, the Air Component and the CJTF highlighted the effectiveness of joint operations against terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
Captain Goni further disclosed that troops remain on heightened alert across the area, with patrols, surveillance and other offensive operations continuing to deny terrorist groups freedom of movement.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist elements while protecting lives and property across the region.
The military also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security formation, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
