Nigerian Army Commander, Brig-Gen Uba Killed By ISWAP After Terrorists Intercepted His Location
November 17, 2025
News
A senior Nigerian Army officer, Brigadier General M. Uba, has been killed by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) after the terrorists intercepted and tracked his location along the Damboa–Biu road in Borno State, multiple military sources have confirmed.
The tragic development occurred shortly after the Brigade Commander had taken part in a successful joint air–ground operation against insurgents in the area.
According to reports by PRNigeria, General Uba had earlier spoken with his superiors, assuring them that he was safe and regrouping with his men after the operation. However, that communication may have unintentionally revealed his coordinates to the insurgents.
He was reportedly captured alive, interrogated briefly, and later executed by ISWAP fighters.
Earlier reports had detailed a joint operation in which Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft provided rapid support to rescue ground troops who came under heavy ambush by the terrorists. The confrontation began when the Brigade Commander led his forces through an area that had been booby-trapped, triggering an intense gun battle.
As the number of attacking insurgents increased, General Uba ordered a tactical retreat and called for air support. Responding swiftly, NAF aircraft diverted from ongoing missions and delivered precise strikes that dispersed the attackers and aided in the evacuation of the commander, his troops, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
On Saturday, SaharaReporters reported that senior military officials, including the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, moved to the Damboa base to lead rescue operations for abducted personnel.
It was gathered that the abduction followed a violent ambush along the Damboa axis that left two soldiers and two CJTF members dead. While an earlier Army statement denied that the 25 Brigade Commander had been abducted, soldiers told SaharaReporters that he had not returned to base.
Multiple sources confirmed that shortly after his capture, General Uba managed to send his live location to colleagues. Although troops traced the coordinates, they reportedly found no sign of him. A source revealed that the officer even made a video call to his dry cleaner under duress, warning the receiver not to speak.
One abducted soldier who was shot was later freed, but the Brigade Commander and two others remained missing until confirmation of his death emerged.
In response to the crisis, Brigadier General Mustapha has now been appointed to lead the 26 Task Force Brigade in Damboa. Troops involved in earlier rescue efforts were withdrawn on Sunday, pending new directives.
A senior officer noted:
“Information reaching us revealed that the Brigadier-General was abducted alongside three soldiers. One was shot and left behind. Two Majors returned to camp on foot. A new commander has been appointed pending confirmation from Army Headquarters.”
ISWAP attacks have intensified recently, with SaharaReporters earlier reporting that the group ambushed a military convoy late Friday night, killing several soldiers and CJTF members in a highly coordinated strike.