Brig. Gen. Braimah, three Soldiers killed in Terrorist attack – Army confirms

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the death of Brigadier General O.O. Braimah, Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, following a deadly terrorist assault on a military formation in Benisheikh, Borno State.

In a statement on Friday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the senior officer was killed alongside three other personnel during a fierce gun battle with insurgents in Kaga Local Government Area.

The casualties included two officers and two soldiers who, according to the military, died in active service while repelling the attack.

The Armed Forces described the fallen troops as courageous personnel who paid the ultimate price in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the safety of its citizens.

Onoja said Brigadier General Braimah demonstrated exceptional leadership and bravery during the encounter, leading from the front under heavy fire.

He added that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, had extended condolences to the bereaved families, assuring them that the sacrifices of the deceased would not be in vain.

The military also reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against insurgent groups across the North-East, noting that troops successfully held their ground during the attack.

The latest confirmation resolves earlier uncertainty over the fate of the brigade commander after initial reports acknowledged casualties without detailing his status.

The incident marks another high-profile loss in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign, coming months after the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba in a similar attack in Borno State in November 2025.

Despite the setback, DHQ said troops under Operation HADIN KAI have continued to record gains, intensifying coordinated offensives against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other terrorist factions across Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Taraba and Gombe states.

According to the statement, recent operations disrupted insurgents’ movements and logistics networks, including a failed advance towards Dikwa town on April 4, where troops deployed artillery fire to disperse the attackers.

The military maintained that ongoing operations would be strengthened as a tribute to the fallen personnel, vowing to sustain pressure on terrorist elements across all theatres.