Brig. Gen. Oseni Braimah
With a heavy heart, we received the sad news that Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, the Brigade Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade under Operation Hadin Kai, was killed during a terrorist attack in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack occurred around 12:30 am on Thursday, 9 April 2026. Terrorists attempted to breach the military base, but Nigerian troops responded with exceptional courage, professionalism, and superior firepower. They successfully repelled the attackers and forced them to retreat. Unfortunately, the victory came at a painful cost.
Brigadier General Oseni Braimah lost his life while bravely leading the counteroffensive. Several other gallant soldiers also paid the ultimate price in the fierce exchange.
The Nigerian Army, through Major General Michael Onoja, confirmed that “a few brave and gallant soldiers” lost their lives during the attack. The military has urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information on social media, as it could compromise ongoing operations and national security. They also stated that next-of-kin will be formally notified before more names are released.
A community leader, Zanna Lawan Ajimi, also confirmed the General’s death, citing sources from the military and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who participated in the response. He reported that one civilian was killed and another injured in the nearby Ngamdu area.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed deep sadness over the incident. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the fallen soldiers as “our unforgettable heroes” and commended their sacrifice in the defence of the nation. He assured that their courage and service will not be in vain.
This is the second time in recent months that a senior officer of Brigadier General rank has been killed in a terrorist attack in Borno State. In November 2025, ISWAP killed Brigadier General Musa Uba. While the intensity of the insurgency had reduced significantly from its peak years, there has been a worrying resurgence lately; including deadly suicide bombings in Maiduguri last month that claimed over 20 lives.
The truth is that the war against Boko Haram and ISWAP is far from over. The terrorists continue to test the military, particularly in remote and vulnerable areas. The Civilian JTF and local vigilantes continue to play a vital supporting role in intelligence and ground operations, but our soldiers continue to bear the heaviest burden.
Brigadier General Oseni Braimah lost his life while bravely leading the counteroffensive. Several other gallant soldiers also paid the ultimate price in the fierce exchange.
The Nigerian Army, through Major General Michael Onoja, confirmed that “a few brave and gallant soldiers” lost their lives during the attack. The military has urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information on social media, as it could compromise ongoing operations and national security. They also stated that next-of-kin will be formally notified before more names are released.
A community leader, Zanna Lawan Ajimi, also confirmed the General’s death, citing sources from the military and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who participated in the response. He reported that one civilian was killed and another injured in the nearby Ngamdu area.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed deep sadness over the incident. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the fallen soldiers as “our unforgettable heroes” and commended their sacrifice in the defence of the nation. He assured that their courage and service will not be in vain.
This is the second time in recent months that a senior officer of Brigadier General rank has been killed in a terrorist attack in Borno State. In November 2025, ISWAP killed Brigadier General Musa Uba. While the intensity of the insurgency had reduced significantly from its peak years, there has been a worrying resurgence lately; including deadly suicide bombings in Maiduguri last month that claimed over 20 lives.
The truth is that the war against Boko Haram and ISWAP is far from over. The terrorists continue to test the military, particularly in remote and vulnerable areas. The Civilian JTF and local vigilantes continue to play a vital supporting role in intelligence and ground operations, but our soldiers continue to bear the heaviest burden.
