The Nigerian Army has dismissed claims surrounding the death of Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, who was killed during an ambush on a military base in Borno State, describing widely circulated reports as false and misleading.
The incident, which took place in Benisheikh, a town in Borno State, had sparked public concern after reports emerged online alleging that the senior officer died due to a faulty military vehicle and that as many as 17 soldiers were killed in the attack.
However, the Army has now moved to set the record straight, insisting that the claims are inaccurate and exaggerated.
In a statement issued on Friday, the spokesman for Operation Hadin Kai, Sanni Uba, said the reports being circulated do not reflect the true situation on the ground.
According to him, the verified casualty figure from the attack stands at four personnel, including two officers and two soldiers.
“The official and verified report clearly stated that two officers and two soldiers paid the supreme price during the engagement,” Uba said. “Any contrary figure being circulated is entirely false and lacks credibility.”
Operation Hadin Kai is the Nigerian military’s main counter-insurgency operation in the North-East, where troops have been battling Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters for over a decade.
The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of people, especially in Borno State, which remains the epicentre of the insurgency.
The attack in Benisheikh is one of several recent incidents that show that, despite gains recorded by the military, insurgent groups still have the capacity to carry out deadly assaults on security formations.
Addressing another major claim, the Army also denied that General Braimah died because of an unserviceable or faulty vehicle.
Uba explained that the brigade commander was travelling in a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, commonly known as an MRAP, which is specially designed to withstand explosive attacks and provide protection for troops in combat zones.
He said the vehicle was not defective but was temporarily immobilised during the intense exchange of fire.
“The commander was mounted on a high-grade MRAP vehicle, which was temporarily immobilised in the heat of combat while he was actively coordinating the counter-attack,” Uba said.
He added that the situation was due to the intensity of the battle and not a failure of equipment.
The Army spokesman also raised concerns about the spread of false information on social media, noting that some of the pictures and videos being shared in connection with the attack were not related to the incident.
According to him, such materials were deliberately used to mislead the public and create panic.
“These narratives, often amplified with unrelated pictures and videos, are not only inaccurate but also an attempt to distort facts and undermine ongoing military operations,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to rely on official sources for information and to avoid sharing unverified content that could harm national security efforts.
Uba further revealed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai were able to repel the attack and maintain control of the base after the ambush.
He said the insurgents were forced to retreat after facing strong resistance from the soldiers.
False reports about casualty figures or equipment failure can lower morale among troops and create doubt about the military’s ability to manage the situation.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives in the attack.
In his message, the President confirmed the death of General Braimah and described the fallen soldiers as heroes who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation.
The loss of a senior officer like Braimah is seen as significant, given his role as a brigade commander in a critical theatre of operations.
Military sources say such officers are key to planning and executing strategies against insurgents, making their loss both operational and symbolic.
The North-East region has remained a major security concern for Nigeria for years. Although the military has recorded successes, including the recapture of territories once held by insurgents, attacks on military bases and civilian communities still occur.
The Benisheikh incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by soldiers on the frontlines and the need for continued support, improved intelligence, and better coordination among security agencies.
It also highlights the importance of accurate information in times of conflict.
For many Nigerians, especially those with family members in the military, reports of attacks can be distressing. When such reports are exaggerated or false, they can cause unnecessary fear and confusion.
The Nigerian Army has therefore called on the public and the media to act responsibly by verifying information before sharing it.
As the fight against insurgency continues, the military says it remains committed to protecting the country and ensuring the safety of citizens, while also honouring the sacrifices of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.