MAIDUGURI — The Nigerian military is reeling after religious terrorists released a disturbing video showing the faces of captured soldiers following a brutal midnight assault on a military base in Borno State.
The footage, circulated by suspected ISWAP militants, emerged hours after the April 9 attack on the 29 Task Force Brigade in Benisheikh. The raid claimed the life of the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah, along with at least 17 other personnel.
The “Proof of Life” Video
The video features several soldiers taken alive during the chaos of the retreat. The footage has sent shockwaves through the country, marking one of the most significant propaganda victories for the insurgents in recent months. It follows a similar video released on April 10 showing over 400 civilians abducted from Ngoshe, further highlighting the escalating crisis in the North-East.
A Commander Fallen
General Braimah’s death is a massive blow to the counter-insurgency effort. Reports indicate the terrorists struck the base with overwhelming force around 12:30 AM, catching the formation off-guard. Survivors at the scene were seen in follow-up clips surveying the charred remains of the camp, with one soldier visibly shaken, stating that only a miracle kept the survivors alive.
National Outcry
President Bola Tinubu has offered condolences to the families of the fallen, but the capture of high-ranking personnel has sparked fury among Nigerians. This is the second Brigadier General killed by religious extremists in just five months, following the execution of Brigadier General Musa Uba in November 2025.
The Defence Headquarters has yet to provide an official count of the soldiers currently held captive, but the video has ramped up pressure on the military to launch an immediate rescue operation.
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