A brigadier general of the Nigerian Army has been feared killed in coordinated attacks by Boko Haram insurgents on four communities in Borno State, marking one of the most significant losses for Nigerian forces in recent months. The assaults targeted Banki Ruwa, Ngamdu, Benisheik and Pulka, located on the southern fringe of the Sambisa Forest near the Cameroon border.
Security sources said the first wave of attacks began around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Pulka and Banki Ruwa in Gwoza Local Government Area, where insurgents reportedly overran a military base, destroying vehicles and equipment and looting food supplies. Hours later, at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday, militants launched another coordinated assault on Benisheik and Ngamdu, about 100 kilometres west of Maiduguri. In Benisheik, the terrorists reportedly overran the 29 Task Force Brigade and destroyed multiple military vehicles. The Brigade Commander, Brigadier General O.O. Braimah, was reportedly killed while leading efforts to defend the base.
Security sources suggested that the attacks on Ngamdu and Banki Ruwa may have been diversionary tactics aimed at delaying reinforcement efforts from the Nigerian Air Force. The assaults caused significant damage, including the destruction of construction equipment and vehicles along the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway.
For Nigeria’s economy, the sustained insurgency in the northeast imposes heavy costs. Agricultural production in the region has been severely constrained, contributing to food inflation and import dependence. Each attack displaces families, disrupts supply chains, and forces communities into reliance on humanitarian assistance, draining resources that might otherwise support development. The military losses also impose fiscal burdens, requiring additional spending on recruitment, training, and equipment replacement.
President Bola Tinubu has proposed allowing states to establish their own police forces to help curb escalating attacks. The Defence Headquarters issued a statement acknowledging casualties but did not comment directly on Braimah’s death, saying troops responded with “exceptional courage, professionalism, and superior firepower.” Security analyst Brant Philip described Braimah’s death as one of the most significant losses for Nigerian forces in recent months, the highest-ranking officer killed since an ambush took the life of Brigadier General Uba in late 2025.
