Terrorists have reportedly killed a Nigerian brigadier general during a deadly assault on a military base in northeastern Nigeria, marking the second loss of a senior military officer within five months.
According to an AFP report, the attack occurred overnight in Benisheikh, a town located about 75 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The assailants, suspected to be members of insurgent groups operating in the region, overran the military formation, killing several soldiers and destroying critical assets.
The Chairman of Kaga Local Government Area, Zannah Lawan Ajimi, confirmed the development, stating that the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General O.O. Braimah, was among those killed in the attack.
Unfortunately, the brigade commander lost his life, Ajimi said during a phone interview.
Intelligence sources also corroborated the incident, revealing that at least 18 soldiers were killed during the invasion. The attackers reportedly set military vehicles and infrastructure ablaze before retreating from the base.
One source disclosed that the insurgents “completely overran the brigade,” leaving behind significant casualties and destruction, while another confirmed that multiple troops were killed, although the exact number remains unclear.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigerian Army nor the Defence Headquarters had issued an official statement on the incident.
The latest attack highlights a worrying resurgence of violence in the region, where Nigeria has battled a protracted insurgency since 2009, following the uprising of the extremist group Boko Haram.
Over the years, the conflict has evolved, with splinter factions such as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) emerging as dominant threats.
The killing of Brigadier General Braimah comes months after Brigadier General Musa Uba was reportedly killed by ISWAP fighters in November, underscoring growing concerns over the vulnerability of even high-ranking military personnel.
Security analysts have warned of an escalation in attacks since 2025, with insurgents adopting more coordinated and aggressive tactics.
Maiduguri, once considered relatively secure, has witnessed renewed violence, including two suicide bombings since December—raising fears of a return to the peak of the insurgency when urban centres were frequently targeted.
The deteriorating security situation has also drawn international attention. On Wednesday, the United States authorised the departure of non-emergency government personnel from its embassy in Abuja, citing increased security risks.
Beyond the Northeast, insecurity has continued to spread across other parts of the country. In the Northwest, armed groups commonly referred to as bandits have intensified attacks on rural communities, engaging in mass killings, kidnappings, and extortion.
According to local and humanitarian sources, at least 90 people were killed in coordinated attacks across remote villages in the region earlier this week.
One of the incidents occurred in Kebbi State, where authorities blamed a terrorist group identified as Mahmuda, believed to have links to Al-Qaeda. The state, which borders Benin and Niger Republic, has witnessed a surge in violent attacks since 2025.
Security tracking organizations, including conflict monitor ACLED, have also reported increased militant activity in the area, noting the presence of groups affiliated with both Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
The threat is not confined to northern Nigeria alone. In neighbouring Kwara State, fighters linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, claimed responsibility for an attack in October—fueling fears that the Sahel conflict is gradually spreading southward.
In December, the United States, with support from Nigerian authorities, carried out airstrikes in Sokoto State targeting Islamic State Sahel Province fighters believed to be operating across borders in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
With rising attacks, growing insurgent coordination, and expanding geographical reach, concerns are mounting over Nigeria’s security landscape and the urgent need for renewed counterterrorism strategies.
