Abuja: An army general and several soldiers were killed during an attempt to raid a military base in northeastern Nigeria early Thursday, officials said.
The attack occurred in Benisheikh in Borno State, army spokesman Michael Onoja said in a statement, but it was repelled. Onoja described the assailants as “terrorists”, which is the term the military uses to describe members of Islamic militant groups in the northeast of the country.
President Bola Tinubu confirmed that a general was killed in the attack.
“The insurgents’ counterattack is a sign of desperation,” he said in a statement. “I extend my condolences to the families of our gallant soldiers, led by Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our country today in Borno State. The government will never forget their sacrifices.”
“Their sacrifices will not be in vain,” Tinubu said. “Because of the courage and dedication of our troops on the front line, our resolve to defeat terrorism and all forms of violence across Nigeria is stronger than ever.”
Onoja didn’t specify how many soldiers were killed in the latest attack on military bases. “This attack is a clear indication of the desperation of terrorist elements who, having suffered significant losses in recent operations, continue to resort to futile and ill-fated offensives against well-defended military positions,” he said.