Military says air strike killed 15 fighters near Pulka in Borno
- The Joint Task Force North East says it killed 15 fighters in an air strike north-west of Pulka, Gwoza LGA.
- The military says the strike came late on 23 October after intelligence on fighters' movements.
- Ground troops followed the strike to search the area, and the military asked residents to keep sharing information.
The military says it has killed 15 fighters in an air strike north-west of Pulka, in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Joint Task Force North East, known as Operation HADIN KAI, said the strike was carried out at about 11:50 p.m. on 23 October 2026. It said the operation followed intelligence reports and confirmed sightings of fighters moving in the Pulka area.
Captain Mohammed Goni, who speaks for the task force, said in a statement on Saturday that ground troops moved in after the strike to search the area and hold the ground gained.
The military described the operation as part of its continuing push against insurgents in the North East. It said the strike showed how intelligence and coordinated action are being used to disrupt fighters' movements and weaken their ability to operate.
Why it matters for residents
Gwoza and the Pulka area have seen repeated attacks over the years, and many residents there depend on farming and trade that stall whenever fighting flares. Each operation is watched closely by families who want to return home and by traders who need roads open to move food and goods.
The task force said it remains committed to defeating insurgency and creating conditions for normal life and business to return to affected communities. It said troops will keep up the pressure with what it called vigilance, determination and professionalism.
The military also asked residents to keep reporting suspicious movements and activities to security agencies. It said cooperation between troops and civilians is needed to secure the gains and build lasting peace in the North East.
The statement did not give the names of the fighters killed, say which group they belonged to, or report any casualties among soldiers or civilians. It also did not say whether weapons or other items were recovered during the ground operation.
What happens next
Troops are expected to remain in the area to search for remnants and to keep watch on routes used by fighters. Residents are likely to see more patrols and checks around Pulka and Gwoza in the coming days.
