The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports that Brigadier General Oseni Braimah died because of an unserviceable vehicle during the recent terrorist attack on a military base in Benisheikh, Borno State.
In a statement on Friday, the Media Information Officer for the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sanni Uba, described viral reports on the incident as false, misleading and exaggerated.
He said the official casualty figure from the attack stood at four military personnel — two officers and two soldiers.
According to him, any claims that 17 soldiers were killed are inaccurate and lack credibility.
“The official and verified report, as earlier released through Defence Headquarters, clearly stated that two officers and two soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement. Any contrary figure being circulated is entirely false, misleading and devoid of credibility,” Uba said.
He also refuted reports that the brigade commander was in a faulty vehicle at the time of the attack.
Uba said Braimah was in a high-grade Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, which was only temporarily immobilised during the intense exchange of fire as he coordinated the counter-assault.
He stressed that the incident reflected the severity of the battle rather than any equipment failure.
The Army also alleged that some pictures and videos circulating online in connection with the attack were unrelated and deliberately used to spread false narratives.
Uba urged the public to disregard such content, warning that it was intended to create panic and undermine confidence in ongoing military operations.
He added that troops of Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled the attack, retained control of their position and forced the insurgents to retreat.
The attack took place in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, where terrorists reportedly launched a prolonged assault and set some military equipment ablaze.
