Nigeria's ongoing counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have claimed the lives of at least 16 senior military officers between 2016 and 2026, highlighting the continued dangers faced by troops on the frontlines.
According to a report by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), the casualties include three Brigadier Generals, two Colonels, ten Lieutenant Colonels, and one Major who lost their lives while leading military operations, largely in Borno State.
The report revealed that 15 of the officers were killed in Borno State, the epicentre of Nigeria's fight against insurgency, while one officer was killed in Katsina State during operations against armed bandits.
Among the notable officers killed in action are Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu, Brigadier General Musa Uba, Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, Colonel Dahiru Chiroma Bako, and Colonel I.A. Mohammed.
The ICIR noted that attacks on military formations have persisted despite years of sustained operations against terrorist groups. Data reviewed by the organisation showed that insurgents attacked at least eight military bases in the first months of 2026 as part of a broader offensive targeting security formations across the Lake Chad Basin.
Security experts say the deaths of senior commanders underscore the intensity of the conflict and the sacrifices being made by members of the Armed Forces in efforts to restore peace and security in affected communities.
Source: The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).
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