By Paul Joseph
A military base in Borno State has come under heavy attack by insurgents linked to Boko Haram, with reports indicating that a senior army officer and several soldiers may have been killed.
According to Sahara Reporters, the assault took place on Wednesday night at a Joint Task Force location in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area.
The attackers, believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), reportedly launched a coordinated offensive using explosives and sustained gunfire.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Brigadier-General O. O. Braimah, said to be the commander of the 29 Brigade, was among those killed. The brigade’s Islamic cleric (Imam), along with multiple officers and soldiers, is also feared dead.
Witness accounts indicate the attack lasted for several hours, leaving numerous casualties. Several personnel were reportedly injured, while others remain unaccounted for as of the time of filing this report.
The incident is part of a growing wave of coordinated assaults by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters across Borno State in recent weeks. Security sources say the attacks are aimed at weakening military positions and undermining troop morale.
In March, insurgents carried out similar strikes on military formations in Baga, Buratai, and areas near Maiduguri, engaging troops in prolonged battles.
Around the same period, another attack near Banki junction along the Bama–Gwoza Road reportedly claimed the lives of an Army Major and several soldiers.
While reinforcements from the Nigerian military have previously repelled such attacks, the resurgence in coordinated operations highlights ongoing security challenges in the North-East.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement confirming the casualties from the latest incident.
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