In a tragic turn of events, a Nigerian army general and numerous soldiers met their fate in an audacious assault on a military base in Benisheikh, Borno State, in Nigeria’s northeast. The assault took place in the early hours of Thursday, as the military attempted to launch a raid on the facility, according to army spokesman Michael Onoja. Despite the attack, the military successfully repelled the assailants. Onoja referred to the attackers as “terrorists, “a term commonly used by the Nigerian military to describe Islamic militant groups operating in the region.
The Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, confirmed the loss of a general in the attack, emphasizing the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers involved. “The insurgents’counterattack is a sign of desperation, “Tinubu stated in a release. He extended his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, including Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah, who led the defense of the base. “Their sacrifices will not be in vain, “Tinubu declared, assuring that the government’s resolve to defeat terrorism and all forms of violence in Nigeria remains unshaken.
Details regarding the number of soldiers killed in the incident were not immediately disclosed by Onoja, although media reports suggested that at least 18 people lost their lives. The army spokesman attributed the attack to the “desperation of terrorist elements “who have suffered significant setbacks in recent operations. He lamented the loss of brave soldiers who paid the ultimate price in the service of their country.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has been addressing a complex security crisis, particularly in the north, where a decade-long insurgency has given rise to several armed groups, including Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, Islamic State West Africa Province. The situation has recently escalated to include militants from neighboring Sahel region, such as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin. In response to the crisis, the United States deployed 200 troops and drones to Nigeria to support the military effort.
This move is part of a new security partnership and comes amidst allegations of targeted violence against Christians in Nigeria. The US military has emphasized that the American forces will not engage in combat and will maintain a non-operational role under Nigerian command authority.
Source: Africanews
Original author: AfricaNews
