Nigerian troops have repelled a coordinated attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on a military position in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack, which occurred on September 7, was contained by troops of Operation HADIN KAI, supported by the Nigerian Air Force and the Civilian Joint Task Force.
The Acting Media Information Officer of the Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Goni said the terrorists launched the assault while troops were conducting counter-terrorism operations in the area but were unable to breach or overrun the military position.
He said the troops’ resistance forced the attackers to withdraw with casualties, while military positions in Pulka remained under the control of the security forces.
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support during the engagement before carrying out precision strikes on identified terrorist elements as they attempted to withdraw.
The strikes, according to Goni, disrupted the terrorists’ escape and prevented them from regrouping.
The Civilian Joint Task Force also provided local intelligence and assisted troops with situational awareness during the operation.
One soldier sustained a gunshot wound to the left arm during the attack. Goni said he was evacuated, stabilised and receiving treatment in stable condition.
Following the withdrawal of the terrorists, troops launched exploitation operations to assess the damage inflicted on the attackers, recover abandoned weapons and equipment and gather intelligence for follow-up operations.
Goni said troops remained on heightened alert in Pulka, with patrols, surveillance and offensive and defensive operations continuing across the area.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information about suspicious persons, movements or activities to security formations.
The military said it would continue operations aimed at restricting the movement of terrorist groups and protecting communities across the Northeast.
