Brigadier General M. Uba, a senior Nigerian Army officer, has been killed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters after the terrorists reportedly intercepted and tracked his location along the Damboa–Biu axis in Borno State, multiple security sources have confirmed.
The tragic incident occurred shortly after the commander had led a joint air–ground operation against insurgents in the area. Prior to his death, General Uba had communicated with his superiors, confirming that he was safe and regrouping with his team. However, his communication may have inadvertently revealed his coordinates to the terrorists. He was captured alive, interrogated briefly, and then executed.
Earlier reports detailed that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) intervened swiftly after ground troops came under heavy ambush. The operation involved a sudden increase in ISWAP numbers, forcing the commander to order a tactical withdrawal and request air support. NAF aircraft responded with decisive strikes, helping to disperse the insurgents and rescue other troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
The ambush occurred late Friday night, killing two soldiers and two CJTF members, and leading to the reported abduction of General Uba along with two other soldiers. Despite the army initially denying the abduction, multiple sources confirmed the commander was missing. Rescue operations, led by Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, were deployed to the area, but the general and two other soldiers remained unaccounted for.
In response, Brigadier General Mustapha has been appointed to lead the 26 Task Force Brigade in Damboa while troops involved in the rescue operation were temporarily withdrawn. Top military officers continue to coordinate efforts to recover the remaining personnel.
The attack is part of a series of coordinated strikes by ISWAP in northeastern Nigeria, which have targeted military convoys and caused significant casualties, demonstrating the group’s increasing operational capabilities.
