Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation HADIN KAI have thwarted an attempted assault by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a military position in Pulka, Gwoza local government council of Borno state.
The attack, which occurred on Monday, September 7, 2026, came as security forces sustained counter-terrorism operations in the troubled axis.
Rather than yield ground, the troops reportedly held their positions and responded with sustained firepower, denying the attackers the opportunity to breach or overrun the military location.
The attackers were eventually forced to withdraw from the area after suffering casualties, according to the military.
The development underscores the continuing battle for control and freedom of movement in parts of northern Borno, where terrorist groups have repeatedly sought to test military positions and disrupt ongoing security operations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the troops’ resistance prevented the terrorists from achieving their objective.
The ground response was reinforced by the Nigerian Air Force’s Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, which provided Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance support during the confrontation.
According to Goni, aerial surveillance enabled the military to maintain better awareness of the terrorists’ movements and coordinate the response with ground forces.
He said air assets subsequently conducted precision strikes against identified hostile elements as the terrorists attempted to withdraw.
The strikes disrupted the attackers’ movement and frustrated attempts to regroup after the failed assault.
The Civilian Joint Task Force also contributed to the operation by providing local information and supporting troops with situational awareness.
Soldier wounded as troops maintain position
The encounter was not without casualties on the side of the security forces.
Goni disclosed that one soldier sustained a gunshot injury to his left arm during the fierce engagement.
The wounded soldier was immediately evacuated for medical treatment and stabilised. His condition was described as stable and he was said to be responding to treatment.
Following the terrorists’ withdrawal, troops launched exploitation operations to assess the damage inflicted on the attackers, recover any abandoned weapons and equipment and obtain intelligence that could support follow-up operations.
The successful defence of the Pulka position has been described by the military as another demonstration of the combat readiness and determination of troops deployed under Operation HADIN KAI.
The military stressed that the coordinated deployment of ground forces, air assets and the CJTF was critical to frustrating the attack and preventing the terrorists from achieving their objective.
Troops have consequently remained on heightened alert across Pulka and surrounding areas, with patrols, surveillance and other offensive and defensive operations continuing.
The military said it would maintain pressure on terrorist elements while taking necessary measures to protect civilians and their property.
Residents were also urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest security formation.
The latest operation comes amid sustained military efforts to restrict the operational space of terrorist groups in the North-East and prevent them from regaining the initiative in communities affected by years of insurgency.
The military reaffirmed its resolve to defeat terrorism, protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and create the conditions for lasting peace and stability across the North-East.