The presidency has confirmed the death of Brigadier-General Oseni Omoh Braimah following a deadly terrorist attack on a military formation in Benisheikh, Borno State.
In a statement issued on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the killing of soldiers from the 29 Task Force Brigade under Operation HADIN KAI, who came under coordinated attack by insurgents.
Defence Headquarters said the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, resulting in multiple casualties, including Brig. Gen. Braimah.
President Tinubu described the fallen soldiers as “unforgettable heroes,” praising their bravery in confronting the attackers and preventing further devastation in surrounding communities.
The president extended condolences to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Armed Forces, urging them to remain resolute despite the loss.
“Their sacrifices will not be in vain,” Tinubu said.
Midnight Assault in Benisheikh
The coordinated overnight assault by insurgents on a military base in Benisheikh, Borno State, revealed the scale and sophistication of terror groups operating in Nigeria’s North East.
According to reports, the insurgents first launched coordinated attacks on communities, including Pulka and Bakin Ruwa in Gwoza area at about 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, before advancing toward Benisheikh, where the headquarters of the 29 Task Force Brigade under Operation HADIN KAI is located.
By midnight, the attackers had begun a full-scale assault on the military formation, engaging troops in a prolonged gun battle that lasted for hours.
Residents and local sources described heavy exchanges of fire, with insurgents reportedly storming the base in large numbers and setting military equipment ablaze.
While the Defence Headquarters maintained that troops fought back with “exceptional courage” and eventually repelled the attackers, conflicting accounts from military sources suggested the base may have been briefly overrun during the intense battle.
Brigadier-General Braimah, who commanded the brigade, was among those killed while leading the defence.
Several other soldiers, including senior officers, also lost their lives, with the full casualty figure still being assessed.
