Troops of the Nigerian Army's 29 Task Force Brigade, operating under Operation HADIN KAI, successfully foiled a large-scale coordinated terrorist attack on their headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State, in the early hours of Thursday, 9 April 2026, demonstrating once again the combat readiness and unwavering resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the face of determined insurgent aggression.
The attack, launched at approximately 12:30am by Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents, targeted the Brigade Headquarters in what security analysts describe as a bold but ultimately futile attempt to overrun a well-fortified military installation. Under the battlefield command of Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, Commander 29 Task Force Brigade, troops responded swiftly and decisively, meeting the attackers with superior firepower and tactical discipline that left the insurgents in complete disarray.
The terrorists, unable to breach the military's defensive perimeter, were forced into a chaotic retreat, abandoning their mission and leaving behind evidence of their failed offensive. No ground was conceded. The military installation remained intact and fully operational.
While the attack was successfully foiled, the encounter was not without cost. A number of brave soldiers made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, giving their lives to protect their comrades, the installation, and ultimately, the Nigerian nation. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, has honoured their memory, describing their heroism as a source of enduring pride and inspiration for the Armed Forces and all Nigerians.
"Their courage will forever remain a source of pride and inspiration to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the entire nation," Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated in an official release issued on behalf of Defence Headquarters, Abuja. The High Command has extended its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the fallen heroes.
In keeping with military tradition and out of respect for the fallen, the Armed Forces have requested that the public and media allow adequate time for the formal notification of next of kin before further details are released.
Far from signalling any resurgence in terrorist capability, the Benisheikh attack is being interpreted by defence observers as a sign of growing desperation among insurgent groups who have suffered devastating losses in recent operations across the North-East theatre. Having been systematically degraded through sustained military pressure under Operation HADIN KAI, these groups appear to be resorting to high-risk, high-visibility attacks on military positions, a strategy that has, once again, ended in failure.
The swift and effective response by troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade is a testament to the exceptional level of training, combat readiness, and operational effectiveness that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have built and sustained in one of the world's most complex counterterrorism environments.
Following the repulsion of the attack, the Nigerian military has launched active clearance and exploitation operations across the general Benisheikh area. Fleeing insurgents are being tracked and engaged, with forces working to deny them any opportunity to consolidate, regroup, or mount further threats. Citizens in surrounding communities are advised to remain calm, as security forces maintain full control of the operational environment.
Major General Onoja, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, called on Nigerians to support the ongoing fight against terrorism by providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies. He also warned against the spread of misinformation and unverified reports on social media, noting that such content not only distorts public perception but actively endangers ongoing military operations and national security efforts.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with sister security agencies and relevant stakeholders, have reaffirmed their commitment to seeing through the campaign against terrorism and insurgency to its conclusion, until lasting peace is restored across the North-East and every corner of the Nigerian nation.
Further updates will be provided as the situation develops, Major General Onoja concluded.