President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of soldiers from the 29 Task Force Brigade under Operation HADIN KAI, following a coordinated terrorist attack on their base in Benisheikh, Borno State.
The attack, which occurred early Thursday, April 9, 2026, was confirmed by the Defence Headquarters and resulted in the loss of several military personnel after intense fighting with insurgents.
The President praised the bravery of the fallen troops, describing them as heroes who fought valiantly to prevent Boko Haram terrorists from overrunning nearby communities.
According to Tinubu, the soldiers demonstrated exceptional courage in the face of a “desperate counterattack” by insurgents who have faced sustained pressure from ongoing military operations across the North-East.
Operation HADIN KAI remains the primary counter-insurgency campaign in the region targeting Boko Haram and other extremist groups operating in the Lake Chad Basin.
The President extended condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the government and people of Borno State, assuring them that the sacrifices of the troops would not be forgotten.
He urged military leadership and frontline personnel not to be discouraged, stressing that the Federal Government remains committed to strengthening troop welfare and providing necessary equipment to sustain counter-terrorism operations.
Tinubu also called on Nigerians and the media to support the military rather than celebrate or legitimise attacks against security forces, describing the fallen soldiers as “unforgettable and irreplaceable.”
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to defeat terrorism and restore lasting peace across affected regions, pledging continued collaboration with state authorities to achieve total security stability.
The attack underscores the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s North-East, where military operations continue against remnants of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
