The Defence Headquarters on Thursday confirmed that terrorists and military personnel were killed when insurgents launched a coordinated attack on the 29 Task Force Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State.
The military, however, did not confirm or debunk reports that the Commander of the 29 Brigade, Brig Gen Oseni Braimah, was among those killed in the incident.
The Chairman of Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, Zanna Ajimi, however, claimed that the brigade commander was among those killed in the attack.
“Yes, we just left the military base now, and I can confirm to you that the brigade commander is among the casualties,” Ajimi told journalists. Residents also reported that the insurgents attacked the base with sophisticated weapons, set combat vehicles ablaze, and burned shops near the military formation.
A resident, Musa Aji, said, “They didn’t just burn military vehicles; shops that are by the roadside were also set on fire. As of this time, we have yet to hear about the death of any civilian. But we heard soldiers were killed.”
Efforts to reach the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sanni Uba, were unsuccessful as calls were not answered. In a statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, the attack occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on April 9, 2026, when insurgents attempted to breach the defensive perimeter of the military installation.
He said troops of Operation Hadin Kai, led by the Commander 29 Brigade, Brig Gen Oseni Braimah, responded with “exceptional courage, professionalism, and superior firepower,” forcing the attackers to retreat.
“In continuation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade in Operation Hadin Kai came under a coordinated terrorist attack on their location at the Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State.
“However, the troops, led by the Commander 29 Brigade, Brig Gen Oseni Braimah, responded with exceptional courage, professionalism, and superior firepower.
“In a well-coordinated counteraction, the insurgents were decisively engaged and forced to retreat in disarray, abandoning their mission,” the statement read.
The Defence Headquarters described the attack as a sign of desperation by insurgents who had suffered significant losses in recent operations, adding that the encounter resulted in the loss of some soldiers.
“Regrettably, the encounter resulted in the loss of a few brave and gallant soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday expressed deep sadness over the killing of soldiers of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai, in a coordinated terrorist attack on their camp in Benisheikh, Borno State.
He described the fallen troops as “unforgettable and irreplaceable” heroes. “The Chief of Defence Staff honours their heroism, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation,” the statement added.
The military also disclosed that clearance operations were ongoing to track fleeing insurgents and prevent them from regrouping.