2026: Worst Year for Nigerian Military as Six Senior Officers Killed in Terrorism-Related Incidents

By Emmanuel Kwada

Just four months into 2026, the Nigerian military has already recorded the deaths of at least six senior officers in terrorism-related attacks, primarily in Borno State, raising serious concerns that the year could become the deadliest for high-ranking personnel in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East.

This alarming toll marks a sharp departure from previous years, where losses among senior officers were comparatively lower.

Col. I.A. Mohammed

The spike suggests that insurgent groups, particularly factions of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), are not only sustaining pressure on military formations but are increasingly effective at targeting leadership positions through coordinated assaults, ambushes, and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The most recent high-profile casualty occurred in mid-April when a colonel (identified in reports as Lt. Col. or Col. I.A. Muhammad) and six soldiers were killed in Monguno, Borno State. The commanding officer was responding to an overnight infiltration attack on troops at the “Charlie 13” location when his vehicle struck an IED, leading to the fatalities.

The ability of insurgents to penetrate or overrun bases and eliminate senior leadership has raised questions.

The military described the troops as having successfully repelled the initial assault before the tragic loss during assessment.

Just days earlier, on April 9, 2026, Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah, Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade under Operation Hadin Kai, was killed alongside approximately 17 soldiers during a coordinated midnight assault by suspected ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters on military positions in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area.

Brigadier Gen Braimah

The attack also targeted areas in Gwoza LGA, including Ngamdu and Pulka. Reports indicate the base was temporarily overrun, with some accounts pointing to equipment failures, such as issues with a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, contributing to the general’s death.

The Defence Headquarters confirmed the gallant response by troops but acknowledged the losses.

These two incidents alone account for two senior officers in a span of less than a week, adding to a troubling pattern earlier in the year. Other senior officers killed in 2026 include: Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, killed in Kukawa LGA in March after insurgents overran a base; Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu, Commanding Officer of the 222 Battalion, killed in an attack in the Konduga area; Lieutenant Colonel Umar Ibrahim Mairiga, killed in Mayenti, Bama LGA, in early March along with other personnel.

Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, killed in Kukawa LGA

Borno State continues to dominate the geography of these attacks, consistent with the region’s status as the epicentre of Nigeria’s longest-running insurgency since 2009.

Jihadist groups appear to have regained momentum, employing bolder tactics such as simultaneous multi-location strikes, drone-assisted operations in some reports, and heavy reliance on IEDs to target responding commanders.

The concentration of losses in the North-East underscores the persistent challenges facing Operation Hadin Kai, despite repeated claims by the military of neutralising large numbers of insurgents and reclaiming territory.

While troops often repel attacks and inflict heavy casualties on the enemy — as seen in recent operations where dozens of terrorists were reportedly killed — the ability of insurgents to penetrate or overrun bases and eliminate senior leadership has raised questions about force protection, intelligence gaps, and the sustainability of current strategies.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed

Military sources and eyewitness accounts from soldiers on the ground describe intense, close-quarter battles in several incidents, with insurgents launching attacks under cover of darkness.

In the case of Gen. Braimah, some troops reportedly highlighted the ferocity of the assault and logistical constraints during clearance operations.

This year’s toll on senior ranks contrasts with earlier periods. For instance, between 2016 and 2025, high-profile deaths such as Brig. Gen. Dzarma Zirkusu in 2021 and Brig. Gen. M. Uba in late 2025 stood out as rare but devastating blows. The current pace — six senior officers in roughly 100 days — has prompted calls for a strategic review.

Read Also: Over 100 killed During 2026 Easter