Nigeria has seen a surge in deadly attacks and mass abductions by criminal groups, Boko Haram, and ISWAP, often for ransom or territorial control. Civilians suffer most, but security forces have also faced severe losses.
Recently, ISWAP ambushed soldiers and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) operatives along the Damboa–Wajiroko road in Borno State, killing two soldiers, two CJTF members, and Brigadier General Musa Uba. Militants seized 17 military motorcycles during the attack. General Uba, who initially escaped, was later captured and killed, making him the highest-ranking officer killed by insurgents since 2021.
This tragedy highlights the persistent threat from insurgent groups despite ongoing counter-insurgency operations. Nigeria has previously lost several senior officers, including:
Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali – Killed in 2016 during a Boko Haram attack in Mallam Fatori.
Lt. Col. Ibrahim Sakaba – Killed in 2018 while commanding the 157 Task Force Battalion in Borno.
Col. Dahiru Chiroma Bako – Ambushed in 2020 near Wajiroko; remembered as a gallant soldier who defended Damboa.
Brig. Gen. Dzarma Zirkusu – Killed in 2021 in Askira Uba; the most senior officer lost that year.
Lt. Col. Aliyu Paiko – Killed in October 2025 while thwarting a Boko Haram operation in Borno.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, emphasized that the sacrifices of these officers will never be forgotten and reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defeating insurgents.
The deaths of these leaders underscore the ongoing dangers of fighting insurgency, but also the courage and dedication of Nigeria’s military in safeguarding the nation.
