Nigerian Army Brigade Commander Brig-Gen M. Uba Killed After ISWAP Tracks His Location

A senior Nigerian Army officer, Brigadier General M. Uba, has been killed by Islamic State West Africa Province fighters after they reportedly intercepted and tracked his location along the Damboa–Biu road in Borno State. Multiple security sources confirmed that the incident occurred shortly after he took part in a successful joint air and ground operation targeting insurgents in the area.

Before the attack, the commander had contacted his superiors to report that he was safe and regrouping with his men. Security officials believe that this communication may have revealed his position. He was captured alive, briefly interrogated, and later executed by the fighters.

The killing followed a major confrontation on Friday night, when troops moving through a booby-trapped route came under intense ambush. Gen. Uba ordered a tactical withdrawal and called for air support. Nigerian Air Force aircraft redirected from other missions and delivered targeted strikes that helped disperse the attackers and extract troops and Civilian Joint Task Force members.

In the aftermath, senior military leaders, including the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, arrived in Damboa to coordinate rescue operations for personnel initially believed to have been abducted. Soldiers on the ground confirmed that Gen. Uba did not return to base, despite earlier denials of his capture by the Army.

Sources disclosed that the commander had managed to send his live coordinates to colleagues, but troops who traced the location found no sign of him. One soldier taken alongside him was later released, while the general and two others remained unaccounted for until confirmation of his death.

During the search, it emerged that the officer had briefly accessed his phone under duress, even making a video call on Saturday morning but warning the recipient not to speak.

In response to the crisis, Brigadier General Mustapha has been appointed to oversee the 26 Task Force Brigade in Damboa. Troops earlier deployed for rescue operations were withdrawn on Sunday as senior commanders continued efforts to stabilise the situation.

The ambush that triggered the chain of events left several soldiers and CJTF members dead, highlighting the growing sophistication and coordination of ISWAP attacks in northeastern Nigeria.