Twin Brother's Final Midnight Call Preceded Brigadier General's Death in Borno Terror Attack
The grieving twin brother of the late Brigadier General Oseni Braimah was the last person to speak with him before his tragic death in a midnight terrorist attack on the 29 Task Force Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State, on April 9, 2026. According to a family relative, the General was engaged in a routine midnight conversation with his identical twin brother, who resides in the United Kingdom, when the assault commenced.
Sudden Silence on the Line
The relative provided a poignant account of the final moments: "Braimah was a set of twins. His twin brother is not here in Nigeria. They are identical twins and are very close. They spoke almost every day. They started speaking after midnight, as usual, when suddenly the General paused, apparently because of some unusual movement at his end. After that, the line went dead."
Repeated attempts by the brother to reconnect proved futile. He remained awake in distress, calling persistently until dawn. By 6:30 AM, a senior Army officer contacted him to confirm the attack and inform him that Brigadier General Braimah was among those killed.
Burial in Maiduguri and Governor's Scholarship Pledge
The Edo State-born General was laid to rest alongside his soldiers on Wednesday in Maiduguri, Borno State. His death has been widely described as a profound sacrifice in Nigeria's ongoing fight against terrorism.
In a significant gesture of support, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has granted full educational scholarships to Brigadier General Braimah's three children. The governor's Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, confirmed that the scholarships will cover their education from current levels through university.
The beneficiaries are:
- Farida Hussain-Braimah (18): 100-level Software Engineering student at Nile University, Abuja.
- Amir Hussain-Braimah (16): SS 3 student at Olumawu Senior School, Abuja.
- Yasmeen Hussain-Braimah (12): JSS 2 pupil at Olumawu Junior Secondary School, Abuja.
Governor Okpebholo described this initiative as both a moral obligation and a demonstration of responsible governance. "Brigadier General Braimah paid the ultimate price in service to this country. It is only right that we stand by the family he left behind and ensure his children have uninterrupted access to education," he stated.
The governor emphasized that this action aligns with the education pillar of his administration's SHINE Agenda, which focuses on human capital development, social welfare, and inclusive governance. He further urged other state governments and private stakeholders to provide structured support to families of fallen military personnel.
Distinguished Military Career and Legacy
Brigadier General Oseni Braimah was a distinguished officer whose career reflected exceptional discipline, courage, and patriotism. He held a Bachelor of Arts in History from the Nigerian Defence Academy and advanced degrees including:
- Master's in Defence Studies from King's College London.
- Master's in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Benue State University.
- Master's in National Security Management and War Studies from the National Defence University, Islamabad.
His career spanned key command, training, and administrative roles. Between September 2024 and March 2025, he served as Chief of Staff at 6 Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt, coordinating operations and ensuring combat readiness. He also served as Chief Instructor at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, mentoring officers, and earlier commanded the Infantry Presidential Guards Battalion in Abuja.
Beyond Nigeria, he contributed to international peacekeeping efforts as a United Nations Observer, supporting ceasefire monitoring and intelligence operations. He was preparing to leave Borno for the Ministry of Defence when tragedy struck.
Brigadier General Oseni Braimah's death serves as a painful reminder of the sacrifices made by Nigeria's military personnel in the fight against terrorism. His legacy of courage, discipline, and service will endure, while the scholarship initiative ensures his children continue to thrive in honor of his memory.
