Brigadier General O.O. Braimah has been killed in a terrorist attack on a military base in Benisheikh, Borno State, in a fresh sign of worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s northeast.
The overnight assault, carried out by unidentified gunmen, also left at least 18 soldiers dead and led to the destruction of several military vehicles and buildings, according to local and intelligence sources.
Chairman of Kaga Local Government Area, Zannah Lawan Ajimi, confirmed Braimah’s death in a telephone interview on Thursday, describing the loss as a major blow to ongoing military operations in the region.
Two intelligence sources also confirmed that the attackers overran the brigade base before withdrawing.
One source said at least 18 troops were killed during the attack, while another disclosed that several soldiers died and military assets were set ablaze.
The Nigerian Army and Defence Headquarters had yet to issue an official statement as of press time.
Braimah’s death comes barely five months after Brigadier General Musa Uba was killed by fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), underscoring the growing threat posed by insurgent groups in the region.
Nigeria has battled a violent insurgency in the northeast since 2009, with Boko Haram and its splinter factions continuing to stage deadly attacks despite years of military offensives.
Security analysts have warned of an increase in terrorist violence since 2025, with renewed attacks in Borno and signs of militant expansion into other parts of the country.
Maiduguri has recorded two suicide bombings since December, while recent attacks in the northwest have left scores dead in remote communities.
The latest assault in Benisheikh adds to concerns over the evolving security crisis and the ability of armed forces to contain coordinated terrorist threats across multiple fronts.
