Fresh details have emerged on the deadly attack on a military formation in Benisheikh, Borno State, which led to the killing of the Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Oseni Braimah.
Accordingly to The PUNCH, surviving soldiers and residents described the assault as a coordinated and overwhelming offensive by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, who struck multiple targets simultaneously in the early hours of Thursday.
According to accounts gathered from eyewitnesses, the attackers launched the operation around 12:30 a.m., advancing in large numbers from different მიმართულ directions and targeting at least three military positions in the strategic town along the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway.
A soldier who survived the attack said the scale of the assault was unlike previous encounters.
“We have experienced coordinated attacks before, but this one was different. They came from several directions at once. It felt like they had studied our positions carefully,” he said.w
Another soldier pointed to the numerical strength of the insurgents as a decisive factor.
“We tried to hold our ground, but they were too many. It became difficult to contain them because they attacked from different angles,” he explained.
Sources said the situation worsened as reports filtered in that other military positions had been breached
“When we started hearing that other locations had fallen and that some of our men were down, it affected morale. Then news came that the Brigade Commander had been killed. That created panic,” one of the soldiers added.
The confusion reportedly led to a breakdown in coordination, forcing some troops to withdraw towards nearby civilian areas. The intense gun battle, which lasted over an hour, was marked by heavy gunfire and explosions that sent residents fleeing for safety.
Amid the chaos, Brigadier General Braimah was killed during the confrontation. While initial claims suggested his death was linked to a faulty Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, military sources disputed the narrative.
“The vehicle was actually hit and set ablaze during the attack. It is not accurate to say it failed to function. The circumstances were far more complex,” a senior military source said.
Another insider noted that only those present at the exact moment could fully explain what happened. “The attackers closed in from multiple directions. It was a well-planned assault. Their advantage was their number,” the source added.
A former driver to the late general described him as a disciplined officer who paid close attention to logistics and welfare. “He took maintenance seriously and cared about his men. If you had any issue, he would listen and try to help,” he said.
Residents of Benisheikh also recounted the impact of the attack on civilians and property. One resident said, “We heard continuous gunshots and explosions. People ran in all directions. Some soldiers even moved into the town for safety.”
Another witness described the aftermath as devastating. “When the shooting stopped, many buildings were destroyed. Shops and vehicles were burned. It was a terrible sight,” he said.
Sources indicated that the temporary movement of troops into the town created a gap, allowing the insurgents to loot military facilities and inflict further damage on nearby properties.
However, the military has pushed back against reports suggesting heavy casualties and operational failure. In a statement, the Headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai maintained that the attack was repelled and that troops retained control of the base.
“The verified report shows that two officers and two soldiers lost their lives during the engagement. Any higher figures being circulated are false and misleading,” said the spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
He also dismissed claims of equipment failure, stating that the commander was actively directing operations during the battle.
“The commander was on a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, which became immobilised in the heat of combat while he was coordinating the response,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and commended the troops for their resilience.
“Our armed forces have continued to carry out sustained offensives against insurgents. This counterattack is a sign of desperation,” the President said.
He urged the military not to be discouraged, assuring that the Federal Government remains committed to defeating insurgency and restoring peace across the country.
Security analysts say the killing of Brigadier General Braimah highlights ongoing challenges in the fight against insurgency, particularly in intelligence gathering, coordination, and protection of military formations.
