“Signal Betrayed, General Slaughtered: ISWAP Shows Deadly Reach in Borno”
By Passman Akpos
A senior Nigerian Army commander, Brigadier General M. Uba, has been killed by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) after the terrorists reportedly intercepted and tracked his live location along the Damboa–Biu axis in Borno State, multiple military sources have confirmed.
The top officer was captured alive and later executed by the insurgents after what security officials described as a “brief interrogation.”
The killing occurred just hours after the commander led a successful joint air–ground offensive against ISWAP cells operating in the region.
A Successful Operation Followed by a Fatal Ambush
According to PRNigeria, Brig-Gen Uba had earlier communicated with his superiors, assuring them he was safe and regrouping with his troops after the operation.But that final communication may have inadvertently revealed his coordinates to ISWAP fighters monitoring military signals.
Security officials say the insurgents intercepted his location and launched a swift ambush, overpowering the commander and his team despite earlier gains made during the operation.
Sources disclosed that the Brigadier General was taken alive, but his captors recorded a short interrogation before executing him summarily.
What Led to the Ambush
Earlier reports indicated that the Nigerian Army and Air Force had jointly repelled a massive ISWAP ambush on Friday night.
Ground troops led by Brig-Gen Uba unknowingly advanced into a booby-trapped route, prompting an intense gun battle. As terrorist reinforcements surged in, the commander ordered a tactical withdrawal and issued a distress call.
Responding swiftly, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft diverted from other missions to deliver close air support, dispersing the attackers and extracting the trapped troops, including Civilian Joint Task Force members.
However, unknown to many at the time, the commander had already become a high-value target.
High-Level Military Response
SaharaReporters reported that top military officers, including Operation Hadin Kai Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, stormed Damboa on Saturday to coordinate an emergency rescue for the abducted personnel.
Initial military statements denied the commander’s abduction, but soldiers at the base confirmed that he had not returned.
Multiple sources revealed that Brig-Gen Uba had sent his live location before contact was lost.
One soldier abducted alongside him—shot and left for dead—was later rescued, while two Majors managed to return to base on foot.
But the Brigade Commander remained unaccounted for until confirmation of his death filtered in from multiple security channels on Sunday.
Disturbing Clues From His Captivity
Sources say the General appeared to have access to his phone under duress.
He reportedly made a video call to his dry cleaner, warning him not to speak—an action believed to have been forced by his captors.
Efforts by ground troops to reach the last location he shared yielded no results.
His execution is believed to have occurred sometime between late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
New Brigade Commander Appointed Amid Crisis
In response, the Nigerian Army has appointed Brigadier General Mustapha as the new commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, pending formal confirmation.
Troops deployed for the rescue effort were withdrawn early Sunday to reorganize for wider operational sweep.
A senior military officer described the situation as “a painful blow, both strategic and emotional.”
Friday Night Attack Triggered the Chain of Events
The violence began late Friday when ISWAP launched a large-scale ambush on a military convoy, killing soldiers and CJTF members.The insurgents—well armed and coordinated—inflicted heavy casualties and abducted Brig-Gen Uba and at least two others.
A Grim Moment for the Nigerian Military
The loss of Brig-Gen M. Uba—one of the Army’s senior field commanders—marks one of the most devastating individual losses for the Nigerian military in recent years.
As rescue teams continue searching for the remaining missing soldiers, questions remain about security lapses, signal interception, and how insurgents tracked a high-ranking officer in real time.
The military is expected to issue an official statement as investigations deepen.
