President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has strongly condemned the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba, Commander of the Nigerian Army’s 25 Task Force Brigade, by fighters of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a violent ambush on Friday night along the Damboa-Biu axis in Borno State. The President, in a statement issued on Monday, described General Uba’s death as “a colossal loss to the nation and a painful reminder of the dangers faced daily by men and women in uniform.”
General Uba, celebrated by his peers as a “brave officer who survived many battles against insurgents in the North-east,” fell victim to a carefully orchestrated ISWAP ambush while leading his troops, accompanied by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). The attack resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and two CJTF operatives, as well as the capture and subsequent execution of the brigadier general. Military sources confirm that after a successful joint air–ground operation, the general’s location was intercepted, and he was found alive in insurgent custody before being killed.
A verified image seen by HumAngle media showed General Uba alive with a gunshot wound to the leg, contradicting earlier military statements that he had led his troops back to base after the ambush. The presidency, addressing the tragic development, stated, “Brigadier General M Uba is the highest military officer terrorist groups have killed since 2021.”
President Tinubu praised General Uba’s courage and leadership, assuring the nation that the perpetrators “will not go unpunished.” He vowed to intensify military operations against insurgents, saying, “Our armed forces will continue their relentless pursuit of terrorists and criminals until our country achieves lasting peace.” The President also commiserated with the families of all fallen servicemen and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare and security of Nigerian soldiers fighting in volatile regions.
Military authorities have already announced the appointment of Brigadier General Mustapha to lead the 26 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, as rescue and mop-up operations continue in the region. The Nigerian Army and the presidency urge citizens to support the military’s ongoing efforts and to remain vigilant as the war against insurgency persists.
This incident has triggered calls for greater investment in military intelligence and operational security to safeguard officers and troops on the front lines of Nigeria’s security challenges.
