It has become a tale of recurring grief and losses as Nigeria in streaks of disasters has buried several military men due to the dastardly acts of terrorists in various theatres of operations across the country.
The worst of the cases are domiciled in the country’s North East zone where Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, have remained unmistakably defiant. It is not unlikely that some isolated cases where few casualties are recorded could have gone down the realm of informality.
Only recently, 16 army officers and men were buried in Maimalari Military Cemetery, Maiduguri, Borno State after they fell to the enemy’s assault. That sad event was one of the most audacious and horrifying in recent times. The sheer number was depressing, leaving untold pains for family, friends and loved ones. General Oseni Omoh Braimah who was the commanding Officer of the 29th Task Force Brigade, was killed in that attack coordinated by Boko Haram/ISWAP on a military base in Benisheikh, Borno State.
Before then, General Ubah whose exact situation remains hazy, following unverified claims that he may still be held by his captors in the same theatre of war, was reportedly killed. Months later his body has not been seen or recovered, thus fuelling the speculation that he could still be alive.
Reports indicate that another Commanding Officer (a Colonel) and six soldiers were killed in Monguno, Borno State in an ambush recently, raising concerns that top military brass was being targeted by insurgents as a fresh strategy to demoralise the soldiers in the various theatres of operation. There are several other reports suggesting that the North Central where terrorists have pitched their tents has become field’s day for these mindless, criminals who are not fighting a coordinated, conventional war.
Within the first quarter of 2026 alone, reports indicate that at least four brigadier generals and four colonels have been killed in front-line operations against Boko Haram/ISWAP, among others in huge numbers in multiple incidents.
These events are worrisome and highlight the ongoing challenges Nigeria forces face against insurgency, even as President Bola Tinubu keeps honouring the deceased as “unforgettable heroes” and encouraging troops to maintain resilience.
Not a few eminent Nigerians were at the Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery where the recent casualties were laid to rest, underlying the grief of a nation that has remained under siege. One speech after the other eulogised the military for their gallantry so far and their selfless service to keep the nation united. Salutary as that was, it is not enough to assuage the enormous pains of families of loved ones who beside the trauma have now to contend with numerous challenges in the absence of their bread winner.
Sadly, these growing casualties among the nation’s military portend a grave signal of despair among citizens who also are not spared the madness of these mindless criminal groups. With all desperate situations such as confronting the country; it takes more than mere rhetoric to clear the Augean stable. Desperation must be met with more equal desperation as it now appears the insurgents have become more intractable and deviously determined. This calls to question the clamour in some quarters to negotiate with terrorists. Nigeria is not the only country that has witnessed these guerrilla-style warfare, hence there must be a determined affront against these merchants of death coming in various guises.
We have oftentimes urged decisive action against sponsors of terrorism and their ilk masquerading as philanthropists with no clear indication of their illicit activities. These sponsors are as guilty as the direct perpetrators of the crime and must be made to face the consequences of their indiscretion.
For the families and loved ones who now face the psychological trauma given the loss of these fallen heroes we do urge that you find strength to get comfort through the grace of the Almighty.
To avoid unpalatable scenarios, it is important that the government should be amenable to the plights of these families who include not just the immediate ones, especially with the reality that some of these soldiers could still have aged parents still alive.
AljazirahNigeria shares the pains of the falling heroes families and commend those in the frontline of battle field for their selfless services to their motherland.
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