Fresh revelations have emerged on the deadly midnight attack on a military base in Benisheikh, Borno State, where the Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, was killed.
Surviving soldiers described the assault as a fierce and coordinated offensive by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province fighters, who struck multiple positions simultaneously.
The attack, which occurred around 12:30am on Thursday in Kaga Local Government Area, reportedly saw insurgents advance in large numbers, overwhelming troops and pushing into nearby civilian areas.
A soldier who spoke on condition of anonymity said the operation bore signs of careful planning and reconnaissance.
“We are used to coordinated attacks, but this was different. They came from different directions at the same time. It felt like they had studied our positions for weeks,” he said.
Another survivor admitted that the troops were outnumbered, making it difficult to repel the attackers despite initial resistance.
“We held our ground at first, but they were too many. They attacked from all angles. It was like an ambush,” he said.
Sources said confusion deepened after reports filtered in that other formations had been overrun, while news of the brigade commander’s death further weakened morale.
“When we heard that our commander was down, fear spread quickly. That was when things began to fall apart,” a source added.
The battle, which lasted over one hour, forced both soldiers and residents to flee, as explosions and gunfire rocked the area.
Eyewitnesses said the temporary withdrawal of troops created a vacuum, allowing the insurgents to loot military facilities and set parts of the town, including shops and vehicles, ablaze.
However, the military authorities dismissed reports of heavy casualties and equipment failure, insisting the attack was repelled.
“The official report confirmed that two officers and two soldiers were killed.
Any higher figures being circulated are false,” the military said, adding that the commander’s armoured vehicle was hit during combat, not faulty as claimed.