Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Brigadier General Oseni Braimah and seven other personnel of Operation Hadin Kai, describing their sacrifice as a painful but heroic loss in the fight against insurgency.
The governor made the remarks on Wednesday during the burial ceremony held at the Maimalari Cantonment Military Cemetery in Maiduguri, where the late officers and soldiers who died in active service were laid to rest.
“Today, we are gathered here in solemn memory to witness yet another sad event—the burial of Brigadier General Oseni Braimah and seven other troops who paid the supreme price in the discharge of their duties while protecting the lives and property of our people,” Zulum said.
He extended condolences on behalf of the government and people of Borno State to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the bereaved families.
Zulum described the recent killings of military personnel as a deliberate attempt by insurgents to weaken troop morale but assured that efforts are ongoing to counter the trend.
“The resurgence in the killing of combatant officers and men is a deliberate attempt to demoralize our armed forces, but we shall do everything possible to reverse this trend, Insha Allah,” he said.
He commended the courage and resilience of the military, noting that troops remain primary targets in the ongoing conflict, while reaffirming the commitment of both federal and state governments to strengthening security operations.
As part of immediate support, the governor announced a donation of N50 million to the families of the deceased personnel.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, describing their deaths as the ultimate sacrifice for national peace and security. He also commended Governor Zulum for his unwavering support in the fight against terrorism.
Other top military officials, including Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede and Chief of Army Staff Waidi Shuaibu, also mourned the deceased and reaffirmed the military’s resolve to end insurgency and other forms of criminality.
The burial ceremony was attended by key government officials, lawmakers, and senior military officers, who gathered to honour the fallen heroes and show solidarity with their families.
