The Nigerian Army has now lost two brigadier generals to the hands of terrorists in the span of just five months. Between November 2025 and April 2026, ENigeria Newspaper can confirm that the the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, and Boko Haram militias have killed two Army generals, namely Brig. General Musa Uba and Brig. General Oseni Braimah in two different coordinated attacks in Borno.
On November 14, 2025, Brig. Musa Uba was captured and killed after he conducted a routine patrol in the ISWAP-dominated district of Damboa with his troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force. During the ambush, which took place in the vicinity of Wajiroko hamlet, ISWAP ambushed them. Two members of the civilian task force and two troops were killed.
Although the brigadier general was able to escape the attack site, he was left alone in ISWAP territory after being cut off from the army. He started using WhatsApp on his own phone to plan his rescue. He had decided what to do and how to move forward with the rescue squad, as his WhatsApp chats that were made public by the local media showed. According to reports, a chopper was sent out to find and save him, but he was nowhere to be found.
However, ISWAP claimed to have captured and executed him three days later.
On the other hand, on April 9, 2026, the Defense Headquarters stated on Thursday that a concerted attack by insurgents on the 29 Task Force Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State, resulted in the deaths of both terrorists and military personnel, including the brigadier general of the troop.
According to Zanna Ajimi, the chairman of Borno State’s Kaga Local Government Area, confirmed to journalist that the brigade commander was one of the victims of the assault. While the statemnt from the Defence Media Operations of the Nigerian Army did not explicitly state this, it did confimed that several soldiers of the troop were killed.
“In continuation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade in Operation Hadin Kai came under a coordinated terrorist attack on their location at the Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State’, the statement read.
“However, the troops, led by the Commander 29 Brigade, Brig Gen Oseni Braimah, responded with exceptional courage, professionalism, and superior firepower.
“In a well-coordinated counteraction, the insurgents were decisively engaged and forced to retreat in disarray, abandoning their mission.
“Regrettably, the encounter resulted in the loss of a few brave and gallant soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty.
President Bola Tinubu, In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, mentioned the death of the brigadier.
“I extend my condolences to the families of our gallant soldiers, led by Brigadier-General Oseni Omoh Braimah, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of our country today in Borno State.
“The government will never forget their sacrifices. Their sacrifices will not be in vain,” the statemend said.
“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.”
“Do not lose heart, do not be weary, do not be discouraged. Our officers and men should continue to serve with honour, courage, and patriotism.
“The government will always stand by the Armed Forces, provide more of the equipment needed and ensure the welfare of all who risk their lives for our safety.”
