Borno ambush: ISWAP executes captured Nigerian Army Commander, Brig-Gen Uba

Militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Monday said they have executed a senior Nigerian Army top officer and commander, Brigadier General Musa Uba.

It would be recalled that Acting Director of Army Publbc Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, had in a statement on Saturday, November 15, denied reports that Brigadier General Uba, was abducted by insurgents during an ambush in Damboa Local Government Area of the state on Friday, November 14, 2025.

According to the statement, Uba “successfully led troops back to base” after the ambush on a joint military and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) convoy along Biu Road resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and CJTF members with general’s initially reported as missing.

Anele said the troops came under sudden and heavy insurgent fire while returning from a successful patrol within the fringes of Sambisa Forest.

The army spokesperson said the team courageously fought through the insurgents’ ambush with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray and to abandon their mission.

She said the team comprised troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

“During the encounter, two brave soldiers and two heroic CJTF members paid the supreme price while on active service to the nation. The Army Headquarters also wishes to debunk the fake narrative going around some media platforms online alleging the abduction of the Brigade Commander,” the statement read.

“The general public is hereby advised to disregard the fake news regarding the incident while praying for the continuous success of our gallant servicemen and women,” she said.

However, in a statement posted on its Amaq propaganda channel, ISWAP claimed responsibility for the ambush and said it had executed the senior army officer following an interrogation, Reuters reported.

Also confirming the sad development, security analyst Zagazola Makama shared a photo showing the commander in the custody of ISWAP insurgents, with a gunshot wound to the leg.

“Before his unfortunate capture, the Brigade Commander made a video we shared stating that he was okay,” Zagazola wrote.

“Unfortunately, after several hours, he lost orientation within the forest. The troops, both ground and air made several efforts to rescue the Command who told them he was on his way to return to his base.

“He was unfortunately re-captured by the terrorists after viral report of his abduction went viral.”