President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s determination to defeat terrorism following the killing of Brigadier General Oseni Braimah and other soldiers in a Boko Haram attack in Borno State, describing the assault as a desperate move by weakened insurgents.
Tinubu urged the Armed Forces not to lose morale, assuring them of continued government support, improved welfare, and better equipment. He praised the fallen troops of Operation Hadin Kai for their bravery and sacrifice, insisting their deaths would not be in vain.
The President also called on Nigerians and the media to stand firmly behind the military and avoid glorifying attacks on security personnel, whom he described as national heroes.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed the attack on the 29 Task Force Brigade in Benisheikh, stating that troops mounted a strong resistance and forced the insurgents to retreat despite casualties. The military high command emphasized that such attacks reflect desperation by terrorist groups under sustained pressure.
DHQ further appealed to the public and media to respect military protocols by allowing families of fallen soldiers to be notified before public disclosure, warning against the spread of misinformation that could undermine operations.
In reaction to the worsening security situation, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) demanded tougher action against terrorists, criticising what it described as leniency in government policies, including rehabilitation programmes for former fighters.
The group called for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s security strategy, stressing the need for accountability, stronger intelligence, and decisive deterrence.
Elsewhere, insecurity continues to take a toll across the country. A community in Kwara State has reportedly been deserted due to repeated bandit attacks, while Bauchi State authorities have shut down 24 cattle markets to curb criminal activities linked to banditry.
In a related development, a special court in Abuja has convicted several Boko Haram and ISWAP suspects, handing down jail terms ranging from decades to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to terrorism-related offences.
Despite the recent setbacks, the federal government maintains that ongoing military offensives are yielding results and that Nigeria remains firmly on course to ending insurgency.
