“The insinuation that the Brigade Commander’s vehicle was unserviceable is equally incorrect. The Commander was mounted on a high-grade Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, which was temporarily immobilised in the heat of combat while he was actively coordinating the counter-assault.”

These were the exact words with which military authorities in Nigeria, explained the circumstances leading to the death of Oseni Omoh Braimah, a Brigadier-General in the hands of terrorists, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) fighters.

In the statement, signed by Sani Uba, a Lieutenant Colonel and spokesman of the Headquarters of Joint Task Force (North East), codenamed, Operation HADIN KAI, the army said contrary to reports that 17 soldiers died in the attack, only four, including Braimah, lost their lives.

Michael Onoja, spokesman at the Defence Headquarters also corroborated the casualty figure in a statement on Friday, stating that Braimah was killed alongside another officer and two soldiers while “making the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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Sani in the statement, said: “The Headquarters Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has noted with serious concern the circulation of false, misleading and highly exaggerated reports across some television stations and social media platforms following the recent foiled terrorist attack on troops’ location in Benisheikh.

“These narratives, often amplified with unrelated pictures and videos, are not only inaccurate but constitute a deliberate attempt to distort facts, undermine ongoing military operations and erode public confidence.

“OPHK categorically refutes the claim that 17 soldiers, including a Brigade Commander, lost their lives during the incident. The official and verified report, as earlier released through Defence Headquarters, clearly stated that 2 officers and 2 soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the engagement. Any contrary figure being circulated is entirely false, misleading, and devoid of credibility.

“The insinuation that the Brigade Commander’s vehicle was unserviceable is equally incorrect. The Commander was mounted on a high-grade Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, which was temporarily immobilised in the heat of combat while he was actively coordinating the counter-assault.

“This reflects the intensity of the engagement and the presence of leadership at the decisive point, not any equipment failure.

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“Furthermore, the pictures and videos being circulated in connection with the incident are unrelated to the Benisheikh attack and are being deliberately misrepresented to reinforce false narratives. The public is urged to disregard such content, which is clearly intended to misinform and create unnecessary panic.

“The Nigerian military strongly frowns at the distortion of operational facts and the use of such unfortunate incident for personal/political gains or propaganda. Such actions not only mislead the public but also diminish the sacrifices, courage, and professionalism of officers and men who continue to risk their lives daily in the defence of the nation.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains professional and committed solely to their constitutional mandate. It is pertinent to reiterate that troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled the attack, maintained control of their location, and forced the terrorists into a disorganised retreat.

“The failed assault underscores the sustained pressure on terrorist elements and the growing combat effectiveness of troops across the Theatre. The military remains the only credible source of verified information on its operations and will continue to provide timely and accurate updates through official channels. Members of the public are therefore advised to rely on such sources and refrain from spreading unverified information.

Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated: “On 9 April 2026, troops deployed in Benisheikh in Kaga LGA of Borno State came under terrorists’ attack. Troops engaged the terrorists and held their ground. Regrettably, some personnel paid the supreme price; including the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General OO Braimah and 3 other Armed Forces personnel.

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“Braimah was one whose conspicuous bravery, personal leadership under fire, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of his troops reflect the highest ideals and traditions of the Nigerian military.

“The AFN mourns deeply with the families, loved ones, and colleagues of these fallen heroes. Their courage will forever be etched in the history of the AFN.

“To the families of the fallen, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede and the entire AFN stand with you in this moment of deep sorrow. Your loved ones were not ordinary citizens; they were extraordinary Nigerians who chose to stand between danger and the rest of the nation.

“Nigerians are further assured that the loss of these heroes will not diminish but rather fortify the resolve of the Armed Forces. Operations across all theatres will continue with even greater determination as a lasting tribute to the memory of those who have fallen.”

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Legal fireworks will resume before Emeka Nwite, at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday, April 14 in the attempt by Nafiu Bala Gombe, to take over the leadership of African Democratic Congress (ADC), from David Mark, previously recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Recall that it is against the backdrop that the ADC is currently without any leadership based on the interpretation of the electoral body of the decision of the Court of Appeal, directing all parties in the dispute to maintain status quo ante bellum in the matter.

The commission, had a fortnight ago, stripped Mark and Rauf Aregbesola of recognition, as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively on this account, marking a new turn in the legal issue which erupted after Gombe, former National Vice Chairman, began laying claim to Mark’s position.

His contention, in a suit brought before the court, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listing Mark, Aregbesola INEC, and Ralph Nwosu, the party’s founder and former National Chairman, as defendants, was that having not resigned his position, he ought to have assumed the office after Nwosu’s resignation, in line with the constitution of the party.

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Having subsequently pronouncing himself National Chairman, had in the suit, filed on September 2, 2025, sought to restrain INEC from recognising National Working Committee (NWK), led by Mark, a former Senate President.

Based on Gombe’s suit ex-parte, which also sought to stop the party from holding meetings, congresses, or conventions pending the determination of the suit, Nwite, had directed Mark, INEC and others to be put on notice to show cause why the motion should not be granted.

But Mark, unhappy with the decision, had rushed to the appellate court to determine the jurisdiction on Nwite to interfere with the matter, leading to the decision on March 12, 2026, as the court ordered him to return to the lower court, having failed to obtain its leave to file the appeal.

The decision of INEC, which came via a statement on April 1, not to recognise either Mark or Gombe, not only left the ADC in a limbo, but thrown a serious anxiety within the Nigerian polity, leading to a massive protest by the party and supporters, who it as part of their suspicion of a plot by President Bola Tinubu to foist a one-party state in Nigeria by killing all the strong oppositions.

In a motion filed on April 7 by Sulaiman Usman, (SAN), seeking an accelerated hearing of the case, Mark, also urged the lower court to compel INEC to restore his name and that of other members and recognise them as members of the party’s NWC,

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Backed with a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the suit, he also argued that Bala lacked the locus standi to institute the action, having resigned his position as national vice-chairman of the party.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday, told Nigerians to take a look at the situation in neighbouring countries to ascertain what true suffering really means, insisting that he has made the country better for everybody.

The President, who spoke against the backdrop of the massive groaning in the country, was particular about the hardship occasioned by the cost of petroleum products, made so by the conflict in the Middle East, where Iran is facing attacks from Israel and the United States.

Urging for patience among the people, Tinubu, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where he inaugurated some projects, said: “I hear you from various angles of the economy. The fuel price is biting hard, but look around, let’s just thank God together that you are better off

“Listen to them in Kenya, in other African countries, what they are going through. We will not look back. We will continue to find ways to ameliorate the suffering of the vulnerable. This is a government that cares.

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“I am glad the Head of Service is here. Look at the numbers with the finance, economic planning, and budgeting, and we will see what we can do to ease the burden.

“But that is the development; the burden of it is what we are facing today. The challenge of the war we didn’t call for, but the effect of the interrelated world that we share. Both the joy and pain of it are universal.”

The President’s position came on the heels of another sharp rise in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), now put at close to N1, 400 per litre from the about N870 before the hostilities in the Iran, which led to major difficulties in the operation of global oil industry.

The situation was particularly worsened by the decision of Iran to restrict the movement of vessels carrying crude through the strait of Houmous, a major transit hob for the commodity to various parts of the world.

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