Brigadier General, 18 Soldiers Killed as Jihadists Overrun Military Base in Borno
By Rejoice Egbaseimokumor
A Brigadier General has been killed in an overnight assault by jihadist fighters on a military base in northeast Nigeria, marking the second death of a senior officer in five months.
The attack occurred in Benisheikh, about 75 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where suspected insurgents reportedly overran a military formation, killing at least 18 soldiers and destroying operational assets.
Kaga Local Government Chairman, Zannah Lawan Ajimi, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, stating that the brigade commander, O.O. Braimah, was among those killed.
“Unfortunately, the brigade commander lost his life in the attack,” he said, noting that the assault caused heavy casualties and significant damage to military equipment.
Security sources said the attackers stormed the base in large numbers during the overnight raid, overwhelming troops in a fierce confrontation before setting parts of the facility ablaze.
Military authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but reinforcement troops have reportedly been deployed to the area as clearance and recovery operations continue.
- The attack adds to growing concerns over renewed insurgent activity in parts of Borno State, where military formations and surrounding communities remain frequent targets of jihadist strikes.
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