Northeast Nigeria Attack: General, soldiers killed in base assault

An army brigadier general and several soldiers were killed when suspected Islamist militants attempted to overrun a military base in northeastern Nigeria early Thursday, in one of the latest attacks underscoring the country’s worsening security crisis.

According to army spokesman Michael Onoja , the assault took place in Benisheikh, Borno state , but was successfully repelled by Nigerian troops. While the military did not disclose the exact number of casualties, it confirmed that Brigadier General Oseni Braimah , commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, was among those killed.

Local government chairman Zannah Lawan Ajimi , whose jurisdiction includes Benisheikh, expressed grief over the incident, describing Braimah as a “gallant and dedicated officer” who died in the line of duty alongside other soldiers.

Onoja referred to the attackers as “terrorists” , a term commonly used by the Nigerian military for Islamist insurgent groups operating in the region. He said the attack reflected the “desperation” of militants who have suffered significant setbacks in recent military operations but continue to launch offensives against security forces.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has been grappling with a decade-long insurgency , particularly in its northern regions. The conflict is driven mainly by groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State-affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). In recent years, violence has expanded with the emergence of new militant factions and cross-border extremist activity from the Sahel region, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).

The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions, according to United Nations data. Despite ongoing military operations and international support including a recent U.S. deployment of troops and drones in a non-combat role, analysts say authorities continue to face significant challenges in containing the insurgency and protecting civilians.