Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu confirmed the deaths of senior military officers and soldiers in a deadly insurgent attack. The assault struck the 29 Task Force Brigade headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State, early on April 9, 2026.
Suspected fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province overran the base in Kaga Local Government Area. They used heavy gunfire and explosives. The brigade commander, Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah, died alongside his second-in-command, the brigade imam, and 17 other soldiers.
Insurgents also hit nearby areas in Ngamdu and Pulka as diversions. Troops fought back with courage and forced the attackers to retreat.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reacted swiftly through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. He said the insurgents struck because Nigerian forces had conducted sustained land and air offensives that neutralized many of their fighters and commanders.
“The insurgents’ counterattack is a sign of desperation,” Tinubu stated. He added that the soldiers prevented a larger disaster in the region.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid tribute to the fallen troops. “I extend my condolences to the families of our gallant soldiers, led by Brigadier-General Oseni Omoh Braimah, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of our country today in Borno State,” he declared. He continued, “The government will never forget their sacrifices. Their sacrifices will not be in vain.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged the military not to lose heart. “Our officers and men should continue to serve with honour, courage, and patriotism,” he said. He also called on Nigerians and the media to support the troops and avoid celebrating attacks on them.
“These soldiers are our heroes; unforgettable and irreplaceable,” Tinubu stated. He pledged continued federal support for Borno State to achieve lasting peace.
