DHQ confirms troops repelled ISWAP attack in Benisheikh, Borno State, while acknowledging casualties and ongoing clearance operations

The Defence Headquarters on Thursday confirmed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled an attack by Islamic State West Africa Province fighters on a military base in Benisheikh, Borno State, while acknowledging that some soldiers lost their lives during the encounter.

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According to the military, the assault occurred around 12:30 a.m. when insurgents attempted to breach the Headquarters of the 29 Task Force Brigade.

Troops responded with what the DHQ described as superior firepower, forcing the attackers to retreat and abandon their mission.

The statement, issued by the Defence Headquarters, characterised the attack as an act of desperation by terrorist elements following sustained military pressure and losses in ongoing operations across the North East region.

Clearance operations are currently underway to track fleeing insurgents and prevent regrouping.

While confirming casualties among its personnel, the DHQ did not directly address reports circulating that a senior officer, Brigadier General O. O. Braimah, who served as a Brigade Commander of the Joint Task Force in Benisheikh, may have been killed during the attack.

The military maintained that further details would be released after notifying the families of the deceased.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, was said to have paid tribute to fallen personnel and extended condolences to their families, reflecting the gravity of the confrontation and the losses sustained.

The Defence Headquarters also urged members of the public to disregard unverified information circulating on social media, emphasising the importance of relying on official communications for accurate updates on security operations.

Reaffirming its commitment to combating terrorism, the military stated that coordinated efforts remain ongoing to sustain pressure on insurgent groups and deny them operational space.

It also called on citizens to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence that could assist in ongoing counter insurgency efforts.

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The incident underscores the persistent security challenges in parts of the North East, where military operations continue to target insurgent groups while seeking to stabilise affected communities.