Terrorists Kill Brigadier General, 18 Soldiers In Fresh Borno Attack

Suspected jihadists have killed a senior Nigerian Army officer, Brigadier General O.O. Braimah, and at least 18 soldiers in a deadly attack on a military base in Borno State.

The latest assault marks the second killing of a high-ranking military officer within five months, highlighting persistent security challenges in the North-East.

The attack occurred overnight in Benisheikh, about 75 kilometres from Maiduguri, where insurgents reportedly overran a military formation and destroyed operational assets.

“They overran the brigade,” an intelligence source said, putting the casualty figure at “at least” 18.

Another source added that “the terrorists killed several troops” and “burnt vehicles and buildings before they withdrew.”

The Chairman of Kaga Local Government Area, Zannah Lawan Ajimi, confirmed the death of the senior officer.

“Unfortunately, the brigade commander, Brigadier General O.O. Braimah, lost his life,” he said during a telephone interview.

Two intelligence sources also corroborated the incident.

Braimah’s death comes months after the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba, who was reportedly killed by the Islamic State West Africa Province in November.

His death was the highest-ranking casualty recorded in the insurgency since 2021.

Nigeria has battled a protracted insurgency in the North-East since 2009, following the uprising by Boko Haram.

Over the years, the conflict has evolved, with splinter groups such as ISWAP intensifying attacks on military and civilian targets.

Security experts have warned of a resurgence in violence since 2025, with attacks becoming more frequent and coordinated.

Maiduguri has witnessed two suicide bombings since December, reminiscent of the insurgency’s peak years.

Amid growing insecurity, the United States government recently authorised the evacuation of non-emergency personnel from Abuja, citing a deteriorating security situation.

While the insurgency remains concentrated in the North-East, violence has spread to other regions.

In northwestern Nigeria, gunmen have killed at least 90 people across several remote communities this week, according to local and humanitarian sources.

In Kebbi State, a recent attack was linked to a local jihadist group, Mahmuda, believed to be affiliated with Al-Qaeda.

The state, bordering Niger and Benin, has witnessed increasing attacks since 2025.

Similarly, in Kwara State, fighters from the Al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin claimed responsibility for an attack last October, raising concerns about the spread of Sahel-based insurgency into southern regions.

According to conflict monitoring group ACLED, there has been a surge in violence driven by militants linked to both Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State across Nigeria and the wider Sahel.

In December, the United States, with Nigerian support, carried out airstrikes in Sokoto State targeting fighters of the Islamic State Sahel Province, usually based in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

The killing of another senior military officer underscores the evolving threat posed by insurgent groups, as Nigeria continues to grapple with widening insecurity across multiple regions.