“I Was Sent With N850,000”: 15-Year-Old Confesses to Role in Killing of Brigadier General Braimah in Borno
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Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a 15-year-old suspect over his alleged involvement in the deadly ambush that claimed the life of Brigadier General Oseni Braimah and three other soldiers in Borno State.
The suspect, identified simply as Tijjani, was apprehended on Sunday in Ngamdu, Borno State, while reportedly on his way to purchase supplies for his group.
Politics Nigeria gathered that Tijjani has confessed to participating in attacks on Benisheik and Ngamdu, including the Thursday assault on a military base that led to the killing of the senior officer.
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Brigadier General Braimah, who served as Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade under Operation Hadin Kai, was killed alongside three soldiers when suspected Boko Haram insurgents stormed their base in a coordinated attack.
The Confession: “I Was Sent With N850,000”
In a video seen by Politics Nigeria, the teenage suspect, speaking in Hausa, detailed his movements and mission prior to his arrest.
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“Before the attack, we came from Jilli and returned there after the attack. I was sent from Jilli yesterday with N850,000 to collect some logistics from Ngamdu, but I was arrested by troops,” Tijjani said.
He added: “Yesterday (Saturday), I left other fighters, my colleagues, at Jilli. I don’t know what happened to them there.”
The revelation that a 15-year-old was entrusted with nearly N850,000 in cash has raised fresh concerns about the financing networks and recruitment strategies of insurgent groups operating in the North-East.
The Attack That Killed a General
Brigadier General Braimah’s death marks one of the highest-profile military casualties in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in recent years.
The attack occurred on Thursday when suspected Boko Haram fighters overran a military position, killing the commander and three of his men. The incident has reignited calls for a comprehensive review of security strategies in the theatre of operations.
No Official Statement Yet
As of the time of this report, military authorities have yet to issue an official statement confirming the arrest or providing further details on the ongoing investigation into the attack.
However, military sources indicate that Tijjani is currently in custody and providing useful intelligence regarding the movements and supply lines of insurgent cells operating between Jilli and Ngamdu.
What Next?
The arrest of a child combatant highlights the continued use of underage fighters by terrorist groups in the Lake Chad region—a practice that violates both Nigerian law and international humanitarian conventions.
Further updates are expected as the military concludes its preliminary interrogation of the suspect.
This is a developing story. More details will follow as official statements are released.
