A brigadier general of the Nigerian Army has been killed following a coordinated terrorist attack on a military base in Benisheikh, Borno State, even as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) insists troops successfully repelled the assault.
The attack in the early hours of Thursday, targeted the 29 Task Force Brigade Headquarters under Operation HADIN KAI.
According to local and intelligence sources, the insurgents overran parts of the base, killing several soldiers and destroying military assets.
Kaga Local Government Chairman, Zannah Lawan Ajimi, reportedly confirmed the death of the senior officer in a telephone interview with AFP, saying, “Unfortunately, the brigade commander, Brigadier General O.O. Braimah, lost his life.”
Intelligence sources also disclosed that the terrorists inflicted significant casualties on troops during the attack.
One source said the attackers “overran the brigade” and put the death toll at “at least” 18 soldiers, while another stated that the insurgents “killed several troops” and “burnt vehicles and buildings before they withdrew.”
However, in an official statement issued on Thursday, the DHQ maintained that the troops repelled the attack and forced the insurgents to retreat.
The statement read: “In a well-coordinated counteraction, the insurgents were decisively engaged and forced to retreat in disarray, abandoning their mission and leaving behind traces of their failed assault.”
The military described the attack as a sign of desperation by terrorist groups operating in the North-East, adding: “This attack is a clear indication of the desperation of terrorist elements who, having suffered significant losses in recent operations, continue to resort to futile and ill-fated offensives against well-defended military positions.”
While the DHQ did not confirm the death of the brigade commander, it acknowledged casualties among troops, stating: “Regrettably, the encounter resulted in the loss of a few brave and gallant soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty.”
The Chief of Defense Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, honoring their “heroism, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the defense of the nation,” while extending condolences to their families.
The military also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information, noting that premature disclosures could undermine ongoing operations. It added that clearance operations were ongoing to track fleeing insurgents and prevent regrouping.
The latest incident marks the second killing of a brigadier general in the North-East within five months, following the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba in November 2025.
Nigeria has battled a protracted insurgency in the North-East since 2009, with groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continuing to mount attacks on military formations and civilian communities.
Security analysts and conflict monitors have recently warned of a resurgence in terrorist activities across the region. Borno State, in particular, has witnessed renewed attacks, including suicide bombings in Maiduguri in recent months.
The deteriorating security situation has also drawn international concern. The United States recently authorised the departure of non-emergency government personnel from Abuja, citing security risks.
Beyond the North-East, violence has spread to parts of the North-West and North-Central, where armed groups and terrorist factions have intensified attacks on rural communities, raising fears of a broader regional security crisis.
Despite these challenges, the Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to defeating insurgency, stating that operations would continue “to ensure the safety, stability, and sovereignty of Nigeria.”
