Do not be demoralised; President Tinubu mourns fallen soldiers killed by boko haram/ISWAP terrorists
Do not be demoralised; President Tinubu mourns fallen soldiers killed by boko haram/ISWAP terrorists
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the killing of soldiers of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai, following a coordinated terrorist assault on their base in Benisheikh, Borno State, as Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters escalated attacks across parts of the state.
The President also extended condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces and families of the fallen personnel, urging them to remain steadfast despite the losses, which included senior military officers and other security operatives.
The Defence Headquarters confirmed the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, April 9, 2026, alongside other simultaneous assaults on communities in Borno State.
In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu commended the bravery of troops who engaged the terrorists in intense combat and prevented them from overrunning military positions and nearby communities.
While mourning the fallen soldiers, the President urged military leadership and frontline troops not to be demoralised, stressing that ongoing counterterrorism operations had inflicted heavy losses on insurgents.
“From the reports I have received, our armed forces have been conducting sustained, intense land and air offensives against the insurgents, neutralising many of their fighters and commanders. The insurgents’ counterattack is a sign of desperation,” he said.
The latest attacks, which affected Benisheikh in Kaga Local Government Area and Pulka in Gwoza LGA, left soldiers, civilians, a Civilian Joint Task Force member, and other security operatives dead, while several vehicles, trucks, and infrastructure were set ablaze.
In Benisheikh, terrorists reportedly struck around 1 a.m., attacking a military base and targeting motorists and passengers who had stopped overnight along the Maiduguri–Damaturu–Kano highway due to routine closures. Several vehicles were burnt, while others were carted away during the raid.
In Pulka, preliminary reports indicated that construction equipment and facilities were destroyed, with thousands of recently displaced persons in the area again caught in the violence.
A local source said troops engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, inflicting casualties on the insurgents while also suffering losses.
“The insurgents were also neutralised by troops in Benesheikh; unfortunately, some security personnel also paid the supreme price, as many vehicles were also carted away by the terrorists,” the source said.
The Chairman of Kaga Local Government Area, Hon. Zanna Ajimi, confirmed the attack but said casualty figures were still being assessed.
“We are in a difficult situation as Boko Haram wreaked havoc in Benesheikh. Presently, I cannot give you the exact number of casualties, but many of the insurgents, civilians and security personnel were killed,” he said.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that five senior military commanders have been killed in insurgent attacks over the past five months, raising renewed concern over battlefield vulnerabilities and operational coordination.
Among them was Brigadier-General Musa Uba, killed by ISWAP fighters in November, and Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah, who died in the latest Benisheikh assault. Others include Lt. Col. Umar Faruq, Lt. Col. S.I. Iliyasu, and Major Umar Ibrahim Mairiga, all of whom were killed in separate attacks between March and April.
The developments have intensified public concern over the evolving tactics of Boko Haram and ISWAP, even as analysts continue to call for stronger logistics support, improved intelligence coordination, and independent reviews of repeated operational losses.
Reacting to the renewed violence, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) urged the Federal Government to intensify action beyond declarations, warning that both civilians and security personnel continue to bear the brunt of the insurgency.
