General, Soldiers Killed as Insurgents Overrun Military Base in Borno State

An attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on a military base in Borno State has resulted in the death of a senior army officer, several soldiers, and a brigade cleric, according to military sources.

The assault took place on Wednesday night at a Joint Task Force facility in Benesheikh, located in Kaga Local Government Area. Sources said fighters linked to the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram launched a coordinated attack on the base, using explosives and sustained gunfire.

Among those reported killed is Brigadier-General O. O. Braimah, commander of the 29 Brigade. A brigade imam and multiple officers were also said to be among the casualties. The exact number of fatalities has not yet been confirmed.

Witness accounts from military personnel indicate that the attack lasted several hours, with heavy exchanges of fire. In addition to those killed, several soldiers sustained injuries, while others remain unaccounted for.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeting security installations in Borno State. In recent weeks, insurgent groups have intensified operations against military and police positions across the region.

In March, coordinated assaults were reported on military bases in Baga, Buratai, and Ajilari near Maiduguri. Although reinforcements from the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Civilian Joint Task Force eventually repelled the attackers, the incidents highlighted ongoing security challenges in the area.

Around the same period, another attack linked to the ISWAP faction targeted a forward operating base near Banki junction along the Bama–Gwoza Road, resulting in the death of an army major and additional personnel.

Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the Benesheikh attack as of the time of this report.