Classification: Open-Source Based

Date of Incident: 8- 9 April 2026

Reporting Date: 10 April 2026 

Executive Summary

On the night of April 8–9, 2026, militants from Boko Haram and/or Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched coordinated overnight attacks on multiple targets in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria. The primary sites were:

  • Pulka community (Gwoza Local Government Area) — starting around 10:30 p.m. local time on April 8.
  • Benisheikh town (Kaga Local Government Area) — around 1:00 a.m. (or approximately 12:30–00:30 a.m.) on April 9, targeting the headquarters of the 29 Task Force Brigade.

Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai repelled the assaults, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers (reports of “dozens” to scores killed). However, the military suffered significant losses, including the death of Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah (also referred to as O.O. Braimah or Oseni Omoh Braimah), commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, along with an estimated 17 or more soldiers and other personnel. Some civilians and at least one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were also killed. Insurgents destroyed or looted vehicles, equipment, and facilities in both locations.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) described the attacks as successfully repelled, while local sources and some media reported that the Benisheikh base was temporarily overrun or breached before reinforcements (including air support) drove the militants back. President Bola Tinubu publicly mourned the fallen soldiers as “unforgettable heroes.”

No group has issued an official claim of responsibility as of the latest reports (April 10, 2026).

Incident Details and Timeline

  • ~10:30 p.m. local time, April 8 (Pulka, Gwoza LGA): Militants first attacked a military operations base in Pulka, attempting to overrun it. Some reports indicate troops ran low on or out of ammunition during the initial fighting. Insurgents then targeted civilian areas, including an IDP camp or host community (Pulka hosts thousands of recently displaced people from Ngoshe, attacked about a month earlier). They looted food items from shops, set ablaze equipment and machines belonging to a road construction firm (reported as Decency’s or similar), destroyed other facilities, and burned civilian homes or vehicles. A possible additional site mentioned is Bakin Ruwa in the same area. Civilians reportedly fled to the surrounding mountains. Reinforcements from Brigade Gwoza helped repel the assault.
  • ~12:30–1:00 a.m., April 9 (Benisheikh, Kaga LGA): A second wave hit the 29 Task Force Brigade headquarters. Insurgents attempted to breach the defensive perimeter. Fighting was intense; local and some military sources indicate the base was briefly overrun, with militants destroying several military vehicles and carting others away. They also set ablaze many trucks and commercial vehicles parked in the town (travellers often stop overnight due to evening road closures on the Maiduguri–Damaturu–Kano route), killing some motorists and passengers. A CJTF member and civilians were among the dead. Air force aircraft later supported operations and evacuated casualties.

The attacks were described as coordinated and simultaneous (or near simultaneous) across locations, with some reports mentioning additional sites, such as Ngamdu.

Casualties and Damage

Terrorist losses: “Dozens” killed (Xinhua and others); local sources say “scores” neutralized by troops. Exact figures remain unconfirmed officially

Government and civilian losses:

  • Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah (Brigade Commander) — confirmed killed while leading the defence.
  • Approximately 17 or more soldiers (including possibly a captain and the brigade’s Imam, per social media reports).
  • At least one CJTF member and an unspecified number of civilians/motorists.
  • Some security operatives were also killed.

Damage:

  • Military: Vehicles destroyed or stolen; base perimeter breached temporarily in Benisheikh.
  • Civilian/infrastructure: Burned construction equipment and machines, looted shops, burned vehicles and homes in Pulka and Benisheikh. Property damage in the town, including healthcare or other facilities mentioned in some accounts.

Official military statements emphasise that insurgents retreated “in disarray,” leaving traces of their failed assault, but acknowledge soldier deaths. Next-of-kin notifications were pending at the time of initial reports.

Responding Forces and Outcome

  • Troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai (Joint Task Force North East) led the defence.
  • Reinforcements arrived, and air support played a role in repelling the attackers and evacuating the dead/wounded.
  • The military described the response as “well-coordinated” with “exceptional courage and superior firepower.” The attack was ultimately thwarted, preventing the militants from fully overrunning and holding the positions or communities.

Context

Borno State remains the epicentre of the Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency, which has lasted over 15 years. The groups frequently launch hit-and-run or attempted overruns on military bases, especially at night, often using coordinated tactics. This incident fits a pattern of repeated assaults on bases in the region throughout 2025–2026, including prior attacks on Pulka and other sites. Pulka’s strategic location near the Cameroon border and its role hosting IDPs make it a recurring target. The killing of a senior officer (brigadier general) marks a notable loss for the Nigerian military.

Official Reactions

  • Defence Headquarters (DHQ): Confirmed the attack on Benisheikh was repelled, acknowledged soldier deaths, and urged the public to await formal notifications.
  • President Bola Tinubu: Expressed condolences, praised the troops’ heroism, and called on Nigerians and the media to support the military in the ongoing fight against insurgency.

Sources and Caveats

Information draws from official DHQ statements, local Nigerian media (Vanguard, Daily Trust, NAN), international outlets (Reuters, Xinhua, Anadolu Agency, Washington Post), and social media reports from journalists and locals. There are minor discrepancies between official “repelled with heavy terrorist losses” narratives and local accounts of temporary breaches, higher military casualties, and specific destruction. Casualty figures for both sides remain approximate and unverified independently in full detail. News from conflict zones can evolve as more information emerges or as next-of-kin notifications are completed.

This remains part of the broader volatile security situation in the Lake Chad basin, where jihadist factions continue to pose a persistent threat despite ongoing military operations.

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