Vice President Kashim Shettima has visited Maiduguri to commiserate with the Nigerian Army and the Borno State Government following a deadly attack on military personnel in Benisheikh.
The visit, undertaken on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President).
During the visit, Shettima paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah, describing their deaths as a profound sacrifice made 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. Their courage reminds us that peace and security often come at a very heavy cost,” he said.
He reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to tackling insecurity, stressing that criminal elements would find no refuge under the current administration.
The condolence visit follows a coordinated midnight assault on a military base in Benisheikh, Borno State, where suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province fighters reportedly attacked multiple military positions around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Surviving soldiers described the incident as one of the most intense in recent months, noting that the attackers advanced in large numbers and appeared to have strategically studied military formations before launching the assault.
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“We are used to coordinated attacks, but this was different. They came in large numbers from different directions at the same time,” a soldier said.
However, the Headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai refuted reports claiming that 17 soldiers, including a brigade commander, were killed.
The Media Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, clarified that only two officers and two soldiers lost their lives during the engagement, describing higher casualty figures circulating in some reports as inaccurate.
He also dismissed claims of equipment failure during the operation, explaining that the brigade commander operated from a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, which was only temporarily immobilised while coordinating the response.
According to Uba, the incident reflects the intensity of ongoing counter-insurgency operations and underscores the presence of military leadership at the frontline.
The latest attack highlights the continuing security challenges in Nigeria’s northeast, even as authorities maintain that efforts are ongoing to contain insurgent activities and protect vulnerable communities.