Vice President Kashim Shettima has visited Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, to sympathize with troops and government officials following a deadly attack on military personnel in Benisheikh.
The visit, carried out on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was confirmed in a statement issued Saturday by presidential aide Stanley Nkwocha. Shettima used the occasion to honor soldiers who lost their lives in the assault, including senior officers.
Describing the fallen troops as national heroes, the vice president said their sacrifice highlights the heavy price paid to maintain peace and security.
“These men wore the uniform for all of us. They stood to protect our communities, our families, and the future of our children. Their courage reminds us that peace and security often come at a very high cost,” he said.
He also reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to sustaining military operations against insurgents, insisting that criminal groups would be relentlessly pursued under the current administration.
The condolence visit followed a coordinated overnight attack on a military base in Benisheikh, where suspected fighters linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province launched a large-scale offensive.
According to security sources, the attackers struck multiple military formations simultaneously around 12:30 a.m., advancing from different directions before extending the assault into nearby civilian areas. Survivors described the operation as one of the most intense in recent months, noting its level of coordination and apparent prior reconnaissance.
Despite widespread reports of high casualties, military authorities have disputed the figures. The Headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai said only four personnel—two officers and two soldiers—were confirmed dead.
The task force’s spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, dismissed claims of higher fatalities and rejected reports of equipment failure involving the brigade commander’s vehicle. He explained that the commander operated from a mine-resistant vehicle that was temporarily immobilized during combat while coordinating troops on the ground.
Uba maintained that the situation reflected the intensity of the battle rather than any operational shortcomings, stressing that official casualty figures remain as released by defense authorities.
