Benisheikh Attack: Army dismisses reports of 17 soldiers killed
The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports claiming that 17 soldiers, including a Brigade Commander, were killed during a recent terrorist attack in Benisheikh, Borno State, describing the claims as false and highly exaggerated.
The clarification was made in a statement released on Friday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
According to the Army, the widely circulated reports across television stations and social media platforms misrepresented the actual outcome of the incident.
READ ALSO: Benisheikh Killings: Tinubu backs troops, cautions against glorifying violence
Lt. Col. Uba explained that only four personnel — two officers and two soldiers — lost their lives during the engagement.
“Operation HADIN KAI categorically refutes the claim that 17 soldiers, including a Brigade Commander, lost their lives during the incident,” the statement said.
He added that the official and verified report earlier released by the Defence Headquarters clearly confirmed the casualties.
“The official report stated that two officers and two soldiers paid the supreme price during the engagement. Any contrary figure being circulated is entirely false and misleading.”
The Army also dismissed claims that the Brigade Commander’s vehicle became unserviceable during the attack.
According to the statement, the commander was operating from a high-grade Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, which was only temporarily immobilised during the intense exchange of fire.
The military noted that the commander remained actively involved in coordinating the counter-assault against the attackers.
“The Commander was mounted on a high-grade MRAP vehicle, which was temporarily immobilised in the heat of combat while he was actively coordinating the counter-assault,” the statement explained.
Lt. Col. Uba also warned the public about misleading images and videos circulating online, stating that many of them are unrelated to the Benisheikh attack.
According to him, the materials are being deliberately shared to create panic and spread false narratives about military operations.
The Army stressed that such misinformation undermines ongoing security operations and erodes public confidence in the Armed Forces.
“These narratives are not only inaccurate but constitute a deliberate attempt to distort facts, undermine ongoing military operations and erode public confidence,” the statement said.
The military also criticised individuals and groups who use security incidents for political or propaganda purposes, noting that such actions diminish the sacrifices and professionalism of Nigerian troops.
Despite the casualties recorded, the Army stated that troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled the terrorist attack, maintaining control of their position in Benisheikh and forcing the attackers to retreat.
The statement described the outcome as evidence of the growing combat effectiveness of Nigerian troops in the North-East theatre of operations.
The Army therefore urged the public to rely only on verified information from official military channels and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports.
