Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Army has moved to clarify circumstances surrounding the death of Brigadier General Oseni Braimah following a violent insurgent attack on a military base in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, amid conflicting reports over casualty figures and the condition of equipment used during the operation.
It also rejected allegations that 17 soldiers died in the incident, insisting that a total of four personnel, comprising two officers and two soldiers, lost their lives during the engagement, according to an official statement released on Friday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba.
Military authorities described circulating accounts suggesting higher casualty figures as false and misleading, arguing that such narratives were being amplified online with unrelated images and videos in an attempt to distort the facts and undermine ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North-East.
He said the official casualty figure was verified through Defence Headquarters channels and remained unchanged, stressing that any contrary reports circulating on social media lacked credibility and should be disregarded by the public.
The statement also addressed claims that the Brigade Commander’s vehicle was unserviceable during the ambush, insisting instead that he was operating from a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected armoured vehicle that became temporarily immobilised due to the intensity of the combat situation rather than mechanical failure.
It explained that the immobilisation of the commander’s vehicle occurred while he was actively coordinating counter-assault operations, and not as a result of equipment breakdown as earlier suggested in some reports.
The military further alleged that several images and videos circulating online in connection with the attack were unrelated to the incident, warning that such content was being deliberately misrepresented to create panic and confusion among the public.
It urged citizens to rely on verified military communications, noting that troops under Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled the attack and maintained control of their positions despite the intensity of the engagement with insurgents.
PUNCH had earlier reported that insurgents attacked the military base in Benisheikh, with local sources saying the assailants operated for several hours and set military equipment ablaze before being forced to retreat.
President Bola Tinubu had also expressed condolences to families of soldiers killed in the attack, including Brigadier General Braimah, confirming his death during the incident while commending the troops for their response and sacrifice.
The North-East theatre of Operation Hadin Kai has in recent months faced repeated insurgent activity along forest corridors linking Borno with neighbouring states, prompting intensified clearance operations, increased air-ground coordination, and expanded surveillance of known transit routes used by armed groups.
Authorities say operations will continue across identified flashpoints as part of broader efforts to degrade insurgent capabilities and restore stability in affected communities, even as investigations continue into the exact circumstances of the Benisheikh attack and the verified casualty count.
The clarification from the army comes amid heightened public concern over security conditions in Borno State, where insurgent groups have continued to exploit remote terrain and limited infrastructure to launch sporadic attacks on both civilian and military targets.
Officials say Benisheikh and surrounding areas remain strategic corridors for insurgent movement due to their proximity to forest belts and inter-state routes linking Borno with Yobe and other North-East locations, making them frequent flashpoints for military operations.
Security analysts note that the use of motorcycles by armed groups has remained a persistent challenge in counterinsurgency efforts, allowing rapid mobility across difficult terrain and complicating surveillance and interception by ground forces operating in dispersed rural environments.
The military has in recent months increased joint operations involving ground troops, air support, and intelligence units in an effort to dismantle insurgent logistics networks, particularly those facilitating the movement of weapons, fuel, and recruits across regional borders.
Despite repeated clearance operations, residents continue to face uncertainty, with many communities experiencing displacement, disrupted schooling, and limited access to farmland due to periodic violence and fear of renewed attacks.
The killing of Brigadier General Braimah has also drawn national attention due to his senior rank and role in coordinating frontline responses, with official sources acknowledging that he was actively involved in the counter-assault at the time of the ambush.
Military authorities insist that operational details surrounding the engagement remain under review, with further updates expected as investigations into the ambush, casualty verification, and intelligence assessment continue in the coming days.
Public reaction to the incident has been shaped by conflicting narratives circulating across traditional and social media platforms, with some accounts initially reporting higher casualty figures and equipment failure claims before being formally denied by military authorities.
Analysts say such discrepancies are common in active conflict zones where information flow is limited and initial reports are often fragmented, leading to inconsistencies until official verification is completed by relevant authorities.
Operation Hadin Kai, the military counterinsurgency framework in the North-East, continues to coordinate multi-agency responses involving the army, air force, intelligence services, and local security actors in efforts to contain insurgent activity across affected states.
Since its establishment, the operation has been central to efforts aimed at degrading insurgent capabilities, securing rural communities, and restoring civilian confidence in areas previously under sustained militant pressure.
Authorities have reiterated that ongoing clearance operations will continue until insurgent cells in identified forest corridors are dismantled, with emphasis on sustained surveillance, intelligence sharing, and community cooperation to prevent future attacks.
The death of a senior officer during active counterinsurgency operations has renewed debate on the risks faced by frontline commanders operating in volatile theatres across Nigeria’s North-East. Military sources maintain that senior officers frequently take operational roles in field coordination to ensure effective response to fast-moving insurgent attacks. While the Nigerian Army continues to emphasize operational success in repelling the Benisheikh assault, attention remains focused on clarifying the precise circumstances surrounding the loss of personnel and reconciling conflicting public reports. Authorities have urged restraint in sharing unverified information, noting that accurate casualty verification is essential in maintaining public trust and operational security during ongoing security operations in the region. Investigations are expected to continue in the coming days.
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