A Brigade Commander of the Joint Task Force in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, Brig. Gen O. O. Braimah, has been reportedly killed by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during a midnight attack in the town.

Local sources said civilians, a member of Civilian JTF, security operatives and scores of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were also killed, when the insurgents launched coordinated attacks in Benesheikh town and Pulka Community of Gwoza LGA.

They said the insurgents attacked Benisheikh town at about 1am early Thursday, setting trucks ablaze and destroying commercial vehicles.

Many motorists and passengers, who were on transit were forced to pass the night in the town due to the routine closure of the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road in the evening.

According to the sources, the Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Braimah was killed during the deadly clash.

“Scores of the insurgents were also killed by troops in Benesheikh, unfortunately, some security personnel, including the brigade commander also paid the supreme price, and several vehicles were also carted away by the terrorists,” locals said.

In a Facebook post, a resident of Benesheikh, Malam Lawal Benesheikh said, “Innalillahi wa Inna’illaihin raji’un.

“Boko Haram has again, unfortunately, succeeded in eliminating the commanding officer of Benishiehk.

“This unfortunate incident occurred yesterday night when the insurgent stormed the military formation in numbers. May the souls of the fallen heroes rest in peace.”

Other sources said the terrorists first launched the attack in Pulka and Bakin Ruwa, both in Gwoza LGA, at about 10:30pm on Wednesday, where they overran a military base, setting a number of hardware ablaze.

“Then at about 1am, the terrorists launched another attack on Benisheikh and Ngamdu towns, and overran the 29 Task Force Brigade, destroying several military vehicles,” one of the sources said.

According to reports, the terrorists also looted food items from shops in Pulka town, and destroyed other facilities, including machines and equipment of a road construction firm.

Daily Trust reports that Pulka currently hosts thousands of displaced people from Ngoshe town, who were seeking refuge after their community was ransacked by the Boko Haram terrorists a month ago.

The Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) is yet to issue an official statement on the attacks. (Daily Trust, but headline rejigged)

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