Inside The Attack: ISWAP Raid Leaves Brig.-Gen Braimoh Dead In Borno

According to military sources, the senior officer was unable to escape the assault after the armoured vehicle he attempted to use reportedly malfunctioned at a critical moment.

The attack, believed to have been carried out by fighters linked to Islamic State West Africa Province, left several soldiers dead, while others were injured or declared missing.

A military source who spoke to Sahara Reporters on Thursday said Braimoh tried to evacuate the base as insurgents advanced, but his attempt failed when the bulletproof vehicle he intended to use would not start.

The source explained that the breakdown left him exposed, leading to his capture and eventual death during the attack.

The source also alleged that poor maintenance and mismanagement within the military may have contributed to the incident, claiming that funds allocated for vehicle upkeep and fuel are not always properly utilised.

According to the source, reports of faulty equipment are sometimes ignored, with junior officers allegedly told to manage defective vehicles rather than having them fixed.

It was further claimed that the armoured vehicle used by the late general already had mechanical issues prior to the attack and was not adequately maintained.

The assault reportedly occurred on Wednesday night, as heavily armed insurgents stormed the military base with gunfire and explosives in an operation that lasted several hours.

Another military source confirmed that Braimoh was killed alongside several officers, including the Brigade Imam, describing the incident as deeply unfortunate.

Several other personnel were also reported injured or missing following the attack.

The incident is believed to be part of intensified operations by ISWAP in Nigeria’s North-East, particularly around the Lake Chad region, despite ongoing assurances by the military that insurgency activities have been significantly reduced.