Suspected militants launched a deadly overnight assault on a military base in Benisheikh, near Maiduguri, killing at least 18 soldiers and a senior army officer, according to local officials and security sources.
The attack claimed the life of brigade commander O.O. Braimah, marking the second killing of a high-ranking officer in the region within five months. The base was reportedly overrun, with vehicles and buildings set ablaze before the attackers withdrew.
The perpetrators are believed to be linked to extremist groups operating in the region, including Boko Haram or its splinter faction, Islamic State West Africa Province.
Nigeria has faced a prolonged insurgency since the Boko Haram insurgency, with the northeast remaining the epicenter of violence.
The incident follows the killing of another senior officer, Musa Uba, in November, underscoring growing concerns over the strength and tactics of insurgent groups in the region.
