Boko Haram Attack in Borno: Brigadier-General, Soldiers Killed as ISWAP Overruns Military Base

Boko Haram Attack in Borno: Brigadier-General, Soldiers Killed as ISWAP Overruns Military Base

A deadly assault by insurgents linked to Boko Haram and its Islamic State-backed faction, Islamic State West Africa Province, has left several Nigerian troops dead, including a senior commander, following a late-night attack on a military base in Borno State.

The fresh Boko Haram attack in Borno reportedly took place on Wednesday night at a Joint Task Force formation in Benisheikh, located in Kaga Local Government Area along the busy Damaturu–Maiduguri highway.

Among those killed in the attack was Brigadier-General O. O. Braimah, commander of the 29 Brigade, alongside several officers, soldiers, and the brigade’s Imam. His death marks a significant setback in ongoing counterinsurgency operations in Nigeria’s North-East, with military sources describing the incident as one of the most intense recent assaults on a military formation in the region.

According to security sources, the attackers launched a coordinated assault using explosives and heavy gunfire, overwhelming troops after hours of intense fighting. The insurgents reportedly deployed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to breach the base, engaged soldiers in sustained gunfire, and targeted critical military infrastructure. The prolonged attack caused panic within the base and surrounding communities, with casualties feared to be high, although official figures have not yet been released.

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Several soldiers were seriously injured during the Boko Haram attack, while others are still unaccounted for. Rescue operations are ongoing as the military works to locate missing personnel and secure the area.

The latest incident highlights renewed violence by insurgent groups in Borno. In recent weeks, Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks in Nigeria have intensified, targeting military bases, checkpoints, and civilian settlements. Security experts warn that the attack suggests growing operational strength of insurgents, increased vulnerability of remote military bases, and the need for improved intelligence and aerial surveillance.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military has yet to issue an official statement on the attack. However, reinforcements and surveillance operations have reportedly been deployed to the Benisheikh axis to prevent further attacks.

Despite years of military operations, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province continue to pose serious threats in Nigeria’s North-East. The Borno attack on soldiers underscores persistent insecurity and raises fresh concerns about the safety of military formations and personnel in the region.

Boko Haram Attack in Borno: Brigadier-General, Soldiers Killed as ISWAP Overruns Military Base