Shettima visits Borno, condoles Army over deadly Benisheikh attack

Vice President Kashim Shettima has visited Borno State to condole with the Nigerian Army and government following a deadly attack on troops in Benisheikh.

The visit to Maiduguri was made on behalf of President Bola Tinubu and was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by the Vice President’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.

Mr Shettima described the fallen soldiers, including Oseni Braimah, as heroes who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation.

“These men wore the uniform for all of us. They stood to protect our communities, our families, and the future of our children,” he said.

He assured that the Federal Government remains committed to supporting the military and tackling insecurity, adding that “criminals will have no hiding place.”

Attack details

The condolence visit follows a coordinated midnight assault on a military base in Benisheikh, reportedly carried out by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province fighters.

According to sources, the attackers struck multiple military positions around 12:30 am on Thursday, advancing in large numbers before extending the assault to nearby civilian areas.

A surviving soldier described the attack as unusually intense and highly coordinated.

“We are used to coordinated attacks, but this was different. They came in large numbers from different directions at the same time,” he said.

Conflicting casualty figures

While initial reports suggested higher casualties, the Operation Hadin Kai dismissed claims that 17 soldiers, including a brigade commander, were killed.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, stated that only two officers and two soldiers died in the encounter, describing contrary reports as false.

He also refuted claims of equipment failure, noting that the brigade commander operated from a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle that was only temporarily immobilised during the battle.

Military response

According to the military, the incident reflects the intensity of ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North-East and the continued presence of senior leadership at the frontline.

Authorities maintained that official casualty figures remain those released by the Defence Headquarters.