By Nkechi Eze
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled coordinated terrorist attacks on Pulka and Mandaragirau in Borno State, killing several insurgents including a senior commander and reaffirming military control over key defensive positions in Nigeria’s North-East theatre.
The troops, drawn from the Joint Task Force (North East), demonstrated what military authorities described as exceptional courage, tactical superiority, and disciplined firepower when terrorists launched determined assaults on their locations late on February 14, 2026.
According to an official statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the attacks were part of renewed attempts by Boko Haram and ISWAP elements to overrun military formations.
He said a large group of terrorists advanced from the Sambisa Forest axis and launched a fierce night attack on troops of Sector 1 stationed in Pulka.
“In a well-coordinated response, troops engaged the terrorists in an intense firefight, successfully containing and reversing the assault,” he stated.
Although the terrorists briefly breached a section of the defensive perimeter, destroying some combat support equipment and accommodation facilities, the situation was quickly brought under control following the arrival of reinforcements.
“Swift reinforcement with overwhelming firepower from 26 Brigade forced the terrorists to retreat in disarray towards the Sambisa axis,” Uba said.
Military intelligence later confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties during the encounter, including the death of a senior commander identified as Abou Aisha, who reportedly sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the neck.
The statement noted that several weapons and equipment were also lost by the fleeing insurgents.
Significantly, no military personnel were killed during the Pulka attack, underscoring what authorities described as the effectiveness of troop preparedness and defensive response.
In a related operation, troops of Sector 2 at Mandaragirau also came under a coordinated multi-pronged attack by ISWAP fighters mounted on gun trucks and motorcycles.
However, anticipating such a move, troops had strategically deployed combat teams in defensive positions, enabling them to decisively engage the attackers.
The fierce exchange of gunfire ultimately forced the terrorists to retreat without breaching the military location.
Despite the successful defence, some military personnel and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force lost their lives in the line of duty, while others sustained injuries.
The wounded personnel were promptly evacuated for medical treatment by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai and Nigerian Army Aviation units.
Military authorities paid tribute to the fallen personnel, describing their sacrifice as a demonstration of the highest traditions of courage, patriotism, and commitment to national defence.
Follow-up clearance and exploitation operations conducted along the Kimba axis revealed further evidence of heavy terrorist losses, including blood trails, shallow graves, and abandoned equipment.
Eyewitness accounts also confirmed that fleeing insurgents evacuated several casualties from the battlefield, further highlighting the scale of losses inflicted by troops.
The Military High Command commended the bravery, professionalism, and fighting spirit of the troops, noting that the failed attacks reflected the growing desperation of terrorist groups under sustained military pressure.
The command reaffirmed that Operation Hadin Kai remains fully committed to its mandate of dismantling terrorist networks, protecting civilian populations, and restoring lasting peace and stability across the North-East region.
