Troops deployed under Operation HADIN KAI retained control of a military position in the Pulka Community of Gwoza local government, Borno State, after repelling a coordinated attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province fighters on 7 September 2026. The defence prevented any breach or overrunning of the base and forced the attackers to withdraw, the joint task force said.
The operation combined ground units of the Nigerian Army, support from the Nigerian Air Force and intelligence from the Civilian Joint Task Force. After the engagement, troops recovered weapons and ammunition and began exploitation operations to assess the damage inflicted on the assailants and to gather intelligence that could enable follow-up missions against fleeing elements.
Acting Media Information Officer of the Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN, Captain Mohammed Goni, praised the troops' response and described the engagement as a demonstration of resolve. He said troops held their positions and "successfully contained an attack by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a military location in Pulka".
Goni said air assets provided Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance coverage that improved situational awareness, and that the air component carried out precision strikes on identified hostile elements as they tried to withdraw. The Civilian Joint Task Force supplied local information that helped troops maintain awareness during the encounter.
One soldier sustained a gunshot wound to the left arm, was evacuated and stabilised, and is reported to be responding to treatment. Following the attackers' withdrawal, troops immediately moved to recover abandoned equipment and to exploit the scene for intelligence that could support subsequent operations.
The statement framed the defence as evidence of the joint forces' combat readiness and coordination, noting that positions across Pulka remained under military control. Troops were described as remaining on heightened alert, continuing aggressive patrols, surveillance and offensive and defensive operations to deny terrorists freedom of movement.
The military also said it will sustain pressure on terrorist groups while taking measures to protect civilians, and urged the public to report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security formation. Follow-up operations to pursue the fleeing attackers were under way, according to the statement.
