The Nigerian Army has conducted a solemn burial ceremony for senior officers and soldiers killed in recent insurgent attacks in Borno State, as insecurity continues to intensify in the North-East region.
Among those laid to rest were Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, Captain Ismail, and other personnel who died following coordinated assaults by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on military positions in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area along the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway.
The ceremony took place at the Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri, where the fallen soldiers were honoured with full military rites in recognition of their service and sacrifice to the nation.
Dignitaries in attendance included Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, and other senior military officials, all of whom paid tribute to the deceased troops.
Despite the mourning, military operations in the region continued, as troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion reportedly repelled another attempted attack by suspected terrorists in Borno State. However, separate clashes in Askira Uba Local Government Area left additional soldiers dead after a prolonged gun battle with insurgents.
In another development, reports indicate that military personnel in Monguno set fire to structures in a community accused of collaborating with terrorists following an earlier deadly attack, although the operation was later halted after intervention by senior authorities.
Security concerns are also spreading beyond the North-East, with police in Benue State launching clearance operations against criminal groups involved in banditry and cattle rustling, as authorities seek to restore order in affected communities.
Meanwhile, regional socio-political groups such as the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Afenifere have described the security situation as deeply alarming, calling for stronger national action, improved coordination, and what they described as a “wartime approach” to address escalating violence across the country.
Afenifere, in particular, urged South-West governors to strengthen local security initiatives such as Amotekun, while also advocating for broader reforms including the establishment of state police.
At the same time, international attention has also been drawn to Nigeria’s security crisis, with a US lawmaker calling for a review of defence leadership and greater accountability in counter-insurgency operations.
A recent security analysis further revealed a worsening national trend, reporting hundreds of deaths and abductions across multiple states, with terrorism and coordinated attacks remaining the dominant drivers of violence.
Overall, the developments underscore the deepening security challenges facing Nigeria, particularly in the North-East, where military personnel continue to bear significant losses in ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
