How Army General, others were killed as terrorists invade military base

…DHQ mum on Brigadier-General’s fate

Brigadier General Oseni Braimah and at least 14 soldiers were killed when Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists launched a coordinated assault on a military base in Benisheikh. The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 am on Monday in the Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, resulting in the destruction of armour tanks and several operational vehicles.

​Military sources stated that Braimah, the commander of 29 Brigade, was captured and killed after his bulletproof vehicle failed to start during an attempt to manoeuvre out of the base. The Brigade Imam and five other officers were also amongst those killed, while several others remain missing in action or sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Escalation of insurgent violence in Kaga

​Witnesses described a chaotic scene as terrorists stormed the base in large numbers, employing explosives and heavy weaponry in an attack that lasted several hours. The insurgents reportedly opened fire on the commander’s vehicle as he attempted to lead his men through the advancing forces.

Member of the House of Representatives Usman Zannah, who represents the Kaga, Magumeri, and Gubio Federal Constituency, characterised the incident as a “barbaric and inhumane” assault on both the military and the local community. Zannah noted that the attack resulted in the loss of properties valued at millions of naira and called for enhanced security measures to protect rural populations in Borno State.

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Defence headquarters response to coordinated raid

​Michael Onoja, the defence media operations director, confirmed the attack in a statement on Thursday, though he did not provide specific casualty figures. Onoja stated that troops responded with “exceptional courage” and “superior firepower,” eventually forcing the attackers to retreat and abandon the site.

​Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, the chief of defence staff , extended condolences to the families of the deceased, describing their sacrifice as a source of pride for the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Despite the tactical response from the military, the loss of a high-ranking officer and significant operational assets underscores the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups in the North East.