Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN has insisted that Brigadier General Oseni Braimah is alive, after several reports indicated that the Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade in Operation Hadin Kai was left dead alongside several other Nigerian soldiers when the Islamic State of West Africa Province, Iswap launched a coordinated multiple attacks on military bases at Pulka, Bakin Ruwa communities in Gwoza local government area and Ngamdu and Benisheikh communities in the Kaga local government area of Borno state between the hours of 10pm on Wednesday night and 12am on Thursday early morning night, killing several numbers of Nigerian soldiers, overran some of the military bases, but, the Nigeria military authority claimed that Brigadier General Oseni Braimah and his troops were able to repel the attackers at Benisheikh, saying, the Brigadier General is alive and not dead as widely reported in some media platforms, in addition, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in a press statement issued a few hours ago by Major General Michael Onoja, admitted that some numbers of Nigerian soldiers were left dead during the attacks but refused to state the total numbers of soldiers killed by the attackers; accordingly, the army said “regrettably, the encounter resulted in the loss of a few brave and gallant soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty”.

According to the Nigeria Defence Headquarters in a press release that looked apparently self contradicting, questionable and somehow dishonest with facts; “In continuation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s (AFN) counter terrorism efforts, troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade in Operation HaDIN KaI came under a coordinated terrorist attack on their location at the Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State.

The attack occurred at approximately 00:30 hours (12:30am) on Thursday, 9 April 2026, as insurgents attempted to breach the defensive perimeter of the military installation. However, the troops, led by the Commander 29 Brigade, Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, responded with exceptional courage, professionalism, and superior firepower. In a well-coordinated counteraction, the insurgents were decisively engaged and forced to retreat in disarray, abandoning their mission and leaving behind traces of their failed assault.

This attack is a clear indication of the desperation of terrorist elements who, having suffered significant losses in recent operations, continue to resort to futile and ill-fated offensives against well-defended military positions. The swift and decisive response by troops underscores the high level of combat readiness, resilience, and operational effectiveness of Operation HaDIN KaI in safeguarding critical locations and maintaining pressure on terrorist groups across the North-East theatre. Regrettably, the encounter resulted in the loss of a few brave and gallant soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, honours their heroism, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation. Their courage will forever remain a source of pride and inspiration to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the entire nation. The High Command extends its deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.

In line with established military tradition and respect for the fallen, the general public and media are kindly requested to allow the Armed Forces to formally notify the next of kin before the release of further details. The public is also urged to disregard misinformation, sensational reports, and unverified content circulating across social media platforms, as these undermine ongoing operations and national security efforts.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders, remain resolute and undeterred in the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency. Additional clearance and exploitation operations are ongoing in the general area to track and neutralize fleeing insurgents, as well as to deny them any opportunity to regroup.

The Chief of Defence Staff, commends the bravery, discipline, and steadfastness of the troops, whose sacrifices continue to ensure the safety, stability, and sovereignty of Nigeria. Their dedication in one of the most challenging operational environments reaffirms the Armed Forces’ commitment to restoring lasting peace in the North-East and across the country.

The general public is encouraged to continue supporting the Armed Forces through timely and credible information that can aid ongoing operations. Citizens are urged to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding as security forces sustain momentum in ongoing operations. Further updates will be provided as necessary”, signed by Michael Onoja, Major General, Director, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Abuja on 9 April 2026.

International News Agency, AFP while quoting its source as republished by Punch Newspaper stated that “Terrorists in northeast Nigeria killed a brigadier general in an assault on a military base, a local government chairman told AFP on Thursday, the second killing of a high-ranking officer in five months.

Africa’s most populous country has been fighting a terrorist insurgency for 17 years, since Boko Haram’s 2009 uprising, which has seen the emergence of powerful splinter groups, including Islamic State West Africa Province. In an overnight attack, unidentified terrorists killed at least 18 soldiers and torched vehicles at a base in Benisheikh, about 75 kilometres from Borno state capital Maiduguri, an intelligence source told AFP.

“Unfortunately, the brigade commander, Brigadier General O O Braimah, lost his life,” Kaga Local Government Chairman, Zannah Lawan Ajimi told AFP in a phone interview. Two intelligence sources confirmed Braimah’s death to AFP. His death follows the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba by IsWAP in November. He was the highest-ranking military official to die in the long-running conflict since 2021.

“They overran the brigade,” one of the intelligence sources said, giving the death toll as “at least” 18. The second intelligence source said that “the terrorists killed several troops” and “burnt vehicles and buildings before they withdrew,” without giving a toll. The army and Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Borno capital Maiduguri has seen two suicide bombings since December — the type of bloody, urban attacks reminiscent of the insurgency’s peak a decade ago. On Wednesday, the US State Department said in a notice it was authorising “non-emergency US government employees” to leave Abuja “due to the deteriorating security situation”. While the insurgency is concentrated in the northeastern countryside, terrorists from Nigeria and the neighbouring Sahel have made inroads western Nigeria, where organised crime gangs known as “bandits” have been raiding villages and extorting farmers and artisanal miners for years.

Gunmen killed at least 90 people across several remote villages in northwest Nigeria this week, according to an AFP tally of tolls given by local and humanitarian sources. Among the attacks was an assault in Kebbi state that police blamed a local terrorist group known as Mahmuda, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda. Kebbi sits on Nigeria’s border with Benin and Niger and since 2025 has been targeted by a rising number of terrorist attacks.

Mike Arnold, an American politician who is a prominent and controversial figure in Nigerian social and political discourse, stated via his Facebook page that; “I first reported this overnight, as it was happening. I’ve since received multiple confirmations. From what I know, this is what happened:

IsWAP launched simultaneous attacks on two Borno State locations overnight — Pulka community in Gwoza Local government area and Benisheikh town in Kaga Local government area.

In Pulka, fighters struck the military operations base at approximately 10:25pm, engaging soldiers until troops ran out of ammunition. Attackers then moved to a road construction site, destroying equipment and vehicles belonging to Decency Road Construction Firm, before setting civilian homes ablaze. Civilians fled to surrounding mountains. Reinforcements arrived from Brigade Gwoza and repelled the attack. One Civilian JTF member was killed. Military casualties unconfirmed but reported.

In Benesheikh, terrorists struck at approximately 1am, burning trucks and commercial vehicles and killing motorists and passengers who had stopped for the night due to the routine evening closure of the Maiduguri-Damaturu-Kano road. A Brigadier General — the military’s commanding officer at Benesheikh — was killed in the attack. It is the highest-ranking officer killed since Brigadier General Uba was killed in a Borno ambush in late 2025.

The two attacks were coordinated and simultaneous. Senator Ali Ndume confirmed both incidents, noting that troops are doing their best but lack sufficient equipment to confront the terrorists. Pulka currently hosts thousands of displaced survivors from the Ngoshe massacre of March 3. The terrorists hit it again last night.

My thoughts: Tinubu and his administration should relocate to the military base there. Perhaps the next attack will solve all of Nigeria’s problems all at once – when they are visited by their “brothers” and “sons” and given a fitting send-off. Note: The troops lack “insufficient equipment” — too bad they can’t fight with “Restoring Hope” buses, or bags of rice, or ₦300,000,000 wristwatches. The Nigerian government is illegitimate, illegal, corrupt and complicit. Innocent people continue to pay the price. This must end”.

Osazuwa Akonedo

Osazuwa Akonedo is a Nigerian media professional, author, and consultant. His work spans various sectors of communication and literature: Journalism and Media: He is the founder of OsazuwaAkonedo, which focuses on news analysis and commentary. He also provides consultancy services in media and banking. Literature: He is a published playwright and author of Nigerian literature. One of his notable works is the drama titled The End Shall Tell: What Exam Malpractice Can Cause, which addresses educational and social issues in Nigeria. Reporting: He frequently reports on regional news, particularly concerning Edo State and broader Nigerian current affairs. Credit: Google Gemini AI Mode Osazuwa Akonedo is a Nigerian media creator, journalist, and entrepreneur who engages audiences via news reporting, social media content, music, and a mobile application. Professional Background and Company Osazuwa Akonedo is associated with OSAZUWAAKONEDO LIMITED, a company registered in Nigeria that operates in media consultancy and news services  The company is headquartered in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, and has been active in publishing news in various formats including text, audio, video, and photos  Social Media and Online Platforms Osazuwa Akonedo maintains a strong online presence on several platforms: TikTok: Shares news updates and reports, for example, covering police operations in Nigeria  YouTube: Operates a channel where he uploads videos on current affairs and news content  Twitter/X: Active under the handle @akonedo_osazuwa, posting updates on events and news  Facebook: Profiles listing his connection to news and media activities can be found on Facebook  Mobile App: Offers a dedicated mobile application for news access through Google Play (Osazuwa Akonedo News App) providing text, video, and photo news formats  News Reporting and Content He produces news content covering national and local stories, including criminal activities, government updates, and investigative reports   His reporting spans multiple formats, making it accessible to a wide audience through online platforms, mobile apps, and social media  Other Contributions In addition to journalism, Osazuwa Akonedo has also ventured into audio releases, such as “Former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami Begs Nigerians For Justice” released on January 25, 2026   He also hosts podcasts documenting significant events, e.g, NDLEA arrests related to historical criminal cases  Summary Osazuwa Akonedo is a multifaceted media professional engaged in journalism, social media content creation, music, and technology via his news app. He utilizes platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X, Facebook, and mobile applications to disseminate news and reach audiences both locally and internationally Credit: Azure AI

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