Maiduguri – The Brigade Commander of the Joint Task Force in Benesheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, Brigadier-General O. Braimah, has reportedly been killed in a deadly attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
According to multiple sources, the insurgents launched a coordinated assault late on Wednesday night or early Thursday on the military base in Benesheikh, part of ongoing operations under Operation Hadin Kai. The attack also reportedly targeted nearby areas, including communities in Gwoza and Kaga LGAs, with reports of incursions in Pulka as well.
Local sources and eyewitnesses described intense fighting during which the terrorists overpowered parts of the brigade formation. The military base was said to have been partially set ablaze, with several military assets destroyed. Brig. Gen. Braimah was among the casualties at the base, alongside other soldiers and reportedly the brigade’s Imam. However, troops repelled the assault, and many insurgents were neutralized in the process.
The Chairman of Kaga Local Government Area, Hon. Zanna Ajimi, confirmed the incident after visiting the military base. He stated: “Yes, we just left the military base now, and I can confirm to you that the brigade commander is among the casualties.”
A social media post by a resident, Mallam Lawa Benesheikh, expressed shock at the development, stating: “Innalillahi wa Inna’illaihin raji’un. Boko Haram has again, unfortunately, succeeded in eliminating the commanding officer of Benishiehk.”
As of the time of this report, the Nigerian Army had not issued an official statement confirming the death of the senior officer. Details of the exact number of soldiers killed or injured, as well as the full extent of damage, remain unclear pending an official briefing.
This incident comes amid persistent security challenges in Borno State, where Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), continue to target military positions and civilian communities despite sustained counter-insurgency operations by the Joint Task Force.
Further updates are expected as the military and local authorities provide more information. The Nigerian military typically conducts thorough investigations into such incidents before releasing official casualty figures.
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