Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai, backed by 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 position in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack occurred on Monday, September 7, 2026, as troops continued ongoing counter-terrorism operations aimed at containing terrorist activities and denying insurgents freedom of movement within the area.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, the terrorists launched an intense assault on the military location but were unable to breach or overrun the position.
Goni said the troops stood their ground and responded with sustained firepower and determined resistance, forcing the terrorists to abandon the attack and withdraw from the area with casualties.
“Despite the intensity of the attack, the troops stood their ground and responded with sustained firepower and determined resistance, denying the terrorists any opportunity to breach or overrun their positions,” the statement said.
The military said all positions across Pulka remained firmly under the control of the security forces after the encounter.
The Nigerian Air Force also played a crucial role in the successful defence of the military position, with the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai providing timely Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) support to the ground troops.
According to the military, the ISR support enabled the troops to maintain improved situational awareness and coordinate their response more effectively as the terrorists attempted to sustain their assault.
The Air Component subsequently carried out precision air strikes against identified hostile elements as the terrorists began withdrawing from the area following the resistance encountered from the ground troops.
The military said the air strikes disrupted the terrorists’ withdrawal and further frustrated their attempts to regroup after the failed attack.
The Civilian Joint Task Force also contributed to the operation by providing local information and assisting the military in maintaining situational awareness throughout the engagement.
However, the military disclosed that one soldier sustained a gunshot wound to his left arm during the fierce encounter.
The injured soldier was immediately evacuated for medical attention and stabilised. His condition was described as stable, with the military confirming that he is responding to treatment.
Following the terrorists’ withdrawal, troops commenced exploitation operations to determine the extent of damage inflicted on the attackers, recover weapons and other equipment potentially abandoned during the assault, and gather additional intelligence that could support follow-up operations against the fleeing terrorist elements.
The military described the successful defence of the Pulka position as another demonstration of the courage, determination and combat readiness of troops deployed under Operation Hadin Kai.
It said the troops’ refusal to surrender ground, combined with coordinated support from the Nigerian Air Force and CJTF, demonstrated the effectiveness of joint military operations in confronting terrorist threats across the North-East.
Goni said troops remained firmly deployed and on heightened alert across Pulka, with aggressive patrols, surveillance and other offensive and defensive operations continuing in the area.
“Troops remain firmly deployed and on heightened alert across the area, with aggressive patrols, surveillance and other offensive and defensive operations continuing to deny terrorist elements freedom of movement and action,” he added.
The military said it would sustain pressure on the terrorists while taking all necessary measures to protect the lives and property of law-abiding residents in the affected communities.
It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report credible information concerning suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest security formation.
The Nigerian military reaffirmed its commitment to defeating terrorism and other forms of insecurity, protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and creating the conditions necessary for sustainable peace and stability across the North-East.