How ISWAP Attack Killed Brig.-Gen Braimoh In Borno Military Base

Fresh details have emerged on the circumstances surrounding the death of Brigadier-General O.O. Braimoh, who was killed during a deadly terrorist attack on a military base in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.

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Military sources said the senior officer was unable to escape the attack after the armoured vehicle he attempted to use reportedly developed a fault at the height of the assault.

The attack, reportedly carried out by fighters linked to the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, left several soldiers dead and others injured or missing.

According to a military source who spoke on Thursday to Sahara Reporters, the late brigade commander attempted to leave the base as insurgents advanced during the attack.

The source explained that Braimoh tried to escape using a bulletproof armoured vehicle, but the vehicle reportedly failed to start.

“When the attack was ongoing, the Brigade Commander, O.O. Braimoh, was trying to manoeuvre his way out. He attempted to leave in a bulletproof vehicle,” the source said.

“However, the vehicle failed to start. That was how he was captured and eventually killed by the insurgents.”

The source also alleged that negligence and corruption among some senior military officers may have contributed to the situation.

According to the source, funds released by the Federal Government for vehicle maintenance and fuel are sometimes mismanaged or not properly utilised.

“The Federal Government has released funds for vehicle maintenance and fuel, but some commanders fail to utilise them properly,” the source alleged.

“If a vehicle develops a fault and junior officers report it, they are told to ‘manage it’. Even requests for fuel are often ignored

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The source added that the armoured vehicle Braimoh attempted to use during the attack had existing mechanical issues.

“They do not maintain the vehicles, and they also have a habit of not making fuel readily available for emergencies like this,” the source said.

The attack occurred on Wednesday night when insurgents reportedly stormed the military formation in Benisheikh with heavy gunfire and explosives.

The assault reportedly lasted for several hours and left an unspecified number of soldiers dead.

Another military source confirmed that Braimoh was killed alongside several officers, including the Brigade Imam.

“He was killed alongside the Brigade Imam and several officers. The attack lasted for hours. It is very unfortunate,” the source said.

Several other soldiers were also reported injured or missing after the incident.

The attack is believed to have been carried out by ISWAP, a faction of Boko Haram that has intensified its operations across parts of Nigeria’s North-East region.

The group has in recent years increased attacks on military formations, particularly in areas around the Lake Chad basin.

This comes despite repeated assurances by the Nigerian military that the insurgency has been largely degraded.