Update: ISWAP Terrorists Kill Nigerian Army Brigade Commander

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists are said to have assassinated Brigadier General U. Uba, the 25 Brigade Commander of Damboa.

Zagazola Makama claims that prior to his tragic capture, the Brigade Commander recorded a video in which he claimed to be well. Sadly, after a few hours, he became disoriented in the wilderness.

“The Commander informed them that he was on his way back to his base, and the troops, both air and ground, made multiple attempts to save him. After a widely shared news of his kidnapping became viral, he was regrettably taken back by the terrorists, Zagazola Makama wrote on X on Monday.

Zagazola Makama added, “Confusion spread rapidly both on the ground and across social media in the chaotic hours following the ISWAP ambush along the Burum–Kubua axis of the Damboa–Biu road.” Brig. Gen. M. Uba, the Brigade Commander, took temporary shelter inside the forest shortly after the engagement when he and his men had strategically moved out of the death zone.

He communicated with the Theatre Commander from that covert location, using a video Watssap call to affirm his safety and provide evidence of life. Additionally, he communicated his live location using Wattssap, which prompted the air and ground forces of Operation HADIN KAI to launch a rescue mission.

However, sensational allegations swamped social media platforms before official channels could provide factual facts. The story that ISWAP had kidnapped a Brigade Commander was fabricated by a number of websites and influencers, and because of its shock value, it quickly went viral.

“A blaze of information ensued. The terrorists, who at first had no situational awareness of the Commander’s movement, were increasingly aware as the narrative spread. He became the most sought-after “golden fish” in the Sambisa axis thanks to media amplification, which caused ISWAP cells connected to Ba Shuwa and Abu Qudama to step up their pursuit of a target they never truly had.

“Troops had to consider the pressure from the media while doing recovery and reorganization, which resulted in an unnecessary operational strain due to this misreporting. Additionally, it temporarily interfered with proper combat communication and increased public fear.

Zagazola rejected the viral claims as wholly untrue at the time of the story. A video that the Commander himself provided verified that he was alive, uninjured, and in complete control, according to verified accounts.

“Unfortunately, Gen. Uba was not located at the Live location he initially stated, and his cell phone became inaccessible. The Theatre Commander personally led the troops to Azir, where they searched for the Commander without success for about twenty-four hours.

Ultimately, the Brigade Commander was apprehended again while trying to escape the terrorist-infested jungle.

“This incident demonstrated a persistent issue in conflict reporting: how information can put personnel in danger and unintentionally help hostile groups by giving them operational clues.”

Remember how ISWAP terrorists killed multiple troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) on Friday night when they ambushed a Nigerian military convoy?

In order to secure the areas surrounding Wajiroko in Azir Multe, Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State, the commander had led members of the 25 Brigade Task Force on a routine patrol.

Armed with advanced weaponry, the rebels allegedly conducted a concerted attack on the convoy, resulting in numerous losses and creating new anxieties among the northeastern region’s towns.

Along with other military troops, a serving Brigade Commander was reportedly kidnapped by the terrorists during the attack, an event that was considered as unprecedented.

“ISWAP fighters last night ambushed a Nigerian military convoy, killing several soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF),” HumAngle said.

“The rebels kidnapped a Brigade Commander and other soldiers in an unprecedented escalation.”

The Nigerian Army, however, refuted claims that the rebels had abducted Brig.-Gen. U. Uba, the commander of Brigade 25.

In a statement released on Saturday, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, acknowledged that while returning from a successful patrol within the boundaries of Sambisa Forest, the troops encountered unexpected and intense insurgent fire.

According to the army spokesperson, the crew bravely used superior firepower to fight through the terrorists’ ambush, forcing them to abandon their mission and retreat in chaos.

She stated that members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and soldiers from the 25 Task Force Brigade made up the squad.

“During the engagement, two courageous soldiers and two gallant CJTF members gave their lives while serving their country.

“The Army Headquarters also wants to refute the false information circulating on several internet media outlets regarding the Brigade Commander’s kidnapping.

She stated, “The public is hereby advised to ignore the fake news regarding the incident while praying for our gallant servicemen and women’s continued success.”