The military has debunked reports alleging that 17 soldiers, including a Brigade Commander, were killed during a Boko Haram attack on a military base in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday around 1:00 a.m., had triggered widespread concern and anxiety following reports circulating across some media platforms and social media.
However, in a statement issued on Friday, the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, described the reports as false, misleading, and grossly exaggerated.
He clarified that contrary to the widely circulated claims, the verified casualty figure stands at two officers and two soldiers who died during the encounter, as earlier confirmed by Defence Headquarters.
Uba also dismissed claims that the Brigade Commander’s vehicle broke down during the attack, explaining that the commander was operating from a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle which was only temporarily immobilised during the intense exchange of fire while he coordinated the counter-offensive.
The military further accused some television stations and social media users of circulating unrelated images and videos falsely linked to the Benisheikh attack in a bid to mislead the public and create panic.
According to the statement, troops successfully repelled the attack, retained control of their position, and forced the insurgents to retreat in disarray, underscoring the growing effectiveness of ongoing operations in the North-East.
The military warned against the spread of unverified information, stressing that such actions undermine operational efforts and diminish the sacrifices of personnel on the frontlines.It urged the public to rely on official communication channels for accurate updates, reaffirming its commitment to professionalism and its constitutional mandate to defend the nation.
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