The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that soldiers were killed when insurgents launched a coordinated attack early Thursday on the 29 Task Force Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, the attack occurred around 12:30 a.m. on April 9, 2026, as insurgents attempted to breach the defensive perimeter of the military installation.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, led by Brigade Commander Oseni Braimah, responded with what the military described as exceptional courage and superior firepower, forcing the attackers to retreat.
The Defence Headquarters described the assault as a sign of desperation by insurgents who have suffered losses in recent operations. However, it acknowledged that several soldiers were killed during the encounter, though it did not confirm reports that Brig. Gen. Braimah was among the casualties.
The military said condolences had been extended to the families of the fallen personnel and urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information, especially on social media. It also confirmed that clearance operations were ongoing to track fleeing insurgents and prevent regrouping.
Meanwhile, local government and intelligence sources told AFP that jihadists killed several troops, including a brigadier general, in the attack the second killing of a senior officer in five months.
Violence has recently intensified across northern Nigeria, with at least 90 people reportedly killed in attacks on remote villages since Sunday. Nigeria has battled insurgency for 17 years following the 2009 uprising by Boko Haram, which later splintered into factions including the Islamic State West Africa Province.
