By Desmond Nleya
DUBAI-Jihadist fighters have killed a senior Nigerian army officer along with several soldiers during a coordinated attack on a military base in northeastern Nigeria, according to local authorities and intelligence sources.
The attack took place overnight in Benisheikh, a town located about 75 kilometres from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. Among those killed was Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah, marking the second time in five months that a high-ranking military officer has died in the ongoing insurgency. One intelligence source reported that at least 18 people were killed in the assault.
According to reports, the attackers overran the base and set military vehicles ablaze before withdrawing. Nigeria’s military acknowledged the attack , stating that insurgents attempted to breach the base’s defenses but were engaged and forced to retreat after intense fighting. However, officials did not confirm the exact number of casualties.
President Bola Tinubu paid tribute to the fallen troops, praising their bravery and commitment in defending local communities against extremist groups such as Boko Haram.
The killing of General Braimah follows the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba, who was killed in November by fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). His death was previously considered the highest-ranking military casualty in the conflict since 2021.
Nigeria has been battling a jihadist insurgency since 2009, when Boko Haram launched its uprising. Over time, the conflict has splintered into multiple factions, including ISWAP, leading to prolonged instability, particularly in the country’s northeast.
Security concerns are worsening across the region. Maiduguri has experienced two suicide bombings since December, echoing the violence seen during the peak of the insurgency years ago. Meanwhile, attacks are spreading beyond the northeast, with both jihadist groups and armed bandits carrying out deadly raids in other parts of the country.
In Kebbi State, recent attacks have left dozens dead and forced nearly 2,000 people from their homes. Authorities have linked some of these incidents to extremist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda, highlighting the growing influence of jihadist networks in northwestern Nigeria.
The deteriorating security situation has drawn international attention. The United States recently authorised the departure of non-emergency government personnel from Abuja and has increased its support to Nigerian forces, including deploying troops for training and technical assistance.
Analysts warn that the conflict, which has already devastated large parts of northeastern Nigeria, risks expanding further into other regions if not effectively contained.
Source: African News
