Maiduguri, Borno State – The Nigerian Army on Wednesday laid to rest Brigadier General Omo Braimah, Captain Ismail, and several other gallant soldiers who paid the supreme price in the ongoing war against insurgency in the North-East.
The solemn and emotionally charged ceremony was held at the Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri, marked by full military honours in recognition of their service and sacrifice.
The fallen soldiers were killed in a devastating attack that occurred in the early hours of Thursday, April 9, 2026. Suspected fighters from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched a coordinated assault on military positions in Benisheikh, a strategic town in Kaga Local Government Area along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.
This attack, in which Brigadier General Braimah lost his life, marks a significant and tragic loss for the Nigerian Armed Forces. He is the highest-ranking officer killed in the line of duty since a similar ambush took the life of Brigadier General Uba in late 2025.
Dignitaries Pay Last Respects
The burial ceremony drew a gathering of grieving families, comrades-in-arms, and top government officials. Among the dignitaries present were Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu. Senator Ali Ndume was also in attendance.
In separate tributes, the leaders described the deceased as brave patriots who stood resolute in the face of danger. They stated that the soldiers' legacy of courage and duty would continue to inspire future generations.
A Sobering Backdrop of Violence
The deaths of General Braimah and his compatriots are the latest in a series of severe blows to Nigeria's security forces in the region. The assault on Benisheikh is part of a wider surge in violence by armed groups across the country's north. Just three days after this incident, on April 12, another attack in Monguno LGA resulted in the death of a Commanding Officer, Col. I.A. Mohammed, and six other soldiers when their vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED).
These coordinated attacks highlight the persistent and formidable threat posed by insurgent groups, despite ongoing military operations. The Army, in a statement, described the burial as a "poignant reminder of the heavy price paid daily by members of the Armed Forces to safeguard the peace, unity, and security of Nigeria."
The sacrifice of these soldiers serves as a stark testament to the nation's prolonged battle against insurgency, which continues to claim the lives of both civilians and military personnel.
