Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) successfully repelled multiple coordinated attacks by BHT/ISWAP terrorists in the Pulka and Mandaragirau areas of Borno State, killing a senior commander and several insurgents.
In a press statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for OPHK, the military disclosed that the encounters took place overnight as insurgents attempted to overrun defensive positions in both locations.
The Assault on Pulka
In Pulka, a large group of terrorists advancing from the Sambisa Forest axis launched a fierce attack on troops of Sector 1. Following an intense firefight, the assault was reversed with the help of swift reinforcements and overwhelming firepower from the 26 Brigade.
While a section of the perimeter was briefly breached—resulting in the destruction of some accommodation and combat enablers—the military reported zero human casualties among the troops in Pulka. Intelligence reports confirmed that the insurgents suffered significant losses, including the death of a senior commander, identified as Abou Aisha, who succumbed to a gunshot wound to the neck.
Encounter at Mandaragirau
Simultaneously, troops of Sector 2 at Mandaragirau faced a multi-pronged attack by ISWAP elements using gun trucks and motorcycles. Prepared combat teams engaged the attackers, successfully thwarting the breach without a compromise to the location’s defenses.
However, the victory came at a cost. The military reported that some personnel and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) “paid the supreme price” during the engagement. A few soldiers who sustained injuries were evacuated via Nigerian Army Aviation and Air Component platforms for treatment.
Aftermath and Recovery
During follow-up operations along the Kimba axis, troops discovered blood trails, shallow graves, and abandoned equipment. Eyewitness accounts verified that the retreating insurgents evacuated multiple casualties toward the Kimba region.
The Military High Command has commended the professionalism and fighting spirit of the troops, describing the failed attacks as a sign of “growing desperation” among terrorist groups facing sustained operational pressure. OPHK reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling insurgent networks and restoring stability to the North East.
