Manny Ita –
Nigerian security forces have killed several terrorists while repelling coordinated attacks on Pulka and Mandaragirau communities in Borno State, with casualties reported among both troops and insurgents. The clashes occurred late Saturday when fighters suspected to be members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province launched assaults on military positions in the two locations.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, a joint military operation against insurgency in the North-East, engaged the attackers in intense gun battles after the insurgents attempted to overrun defensive formations. Military sources said the soldiers successfully held their ground, forcing the attackers to retreat after sustaining heavy losses.
Local accounts indicated that the fighting involved heavy weapons and lasted several hours, creating panic among residents who took shelter as explosions and gunfire echoed across the area. Security officials confirmed that an unspecified number of soldiers were also killed during the confrontation, underscoring the ferocity of the assaults.
A military source familiar with the operation said the attacks appeared coordinated and aimed at testing the strength of security deployments in the region. “The troops responded with superior firepower and prevented the terrorists from gaining control of the locations,” the source stated, adding that mop-up operations were conducted to pursue fleeing fighters.
Pulka, located near the Nigeria–Cameroon border, has long been a strategic town in counterinsurgency operations due to its proximity to known insurgent routes, while Mandaragirau has experienced repeated attempts by militants to disrupt military presence. Analysts say simultaneous strikes on multiple locations suggest continued operational capacity by extremist groups despite sustained military offensives.
Authorities have not released an official casualty figure or detailed statement as of the time of reporting, but security patrols have reportedly been intensified to prevent further attacks. Residents were urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements.
The North-East region has endured more than a decade of insurgency, with military operations ongoing to restore stability and facilitate the safe return of displaced populations. Officials expressed confidence that sustained pressure on militant groups would further degrade their ability to mount large-scale assaults.
