Brigadier General M. Uba, commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, Borno State, has been confirmed killed after a tense search-and-rescue effort that followed hours of uncertainty in the forest.
The senior officer went missing after his team came under attack during an operation in the Damboa general area. Troops had pushed into the forest to counter ISWAP activities when the ambush occurred, forcing units to scatter while attempting to repel the assault.
Before communication was lost, Uba sent a video message stating that he was unhurt and navigating his way back toward friendly locations.
He also shared his coordinates to assist rescue teams already moving into the area by both land and air. His message raised hope among troops, who believed he was close to linking up with reinforcement units.
The situation changed hours later when he became disoriented while trying to move through the thick forest.
Units on the ground made repeated attempts to trace his last known position, while air assets scanned sections of the terrain where movement had been detected earlier in the day.
As search teams continued the effort, reports began circulating on social media claiming that he had been abducted.
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Those reports spread rapidly, creating confusion in the wider public and drawing renewed attention to the unfolding situation in Damboa.
Military sources later confirmed that the commander was captured by ISWAP fighters after losing contact with his men. His death was confirmed after efforts to reach him failed.
The development has triggered questions around frontline troop safety, rescue coordination and communication gaps during high-risk operations in remote environments.
It has also heightened concern about the growing boldness of insurgent cells operating within forest corridors that have long served as hideouts for ISWAP factions.
General Uba’s death marks one of the most significant losses for the military in recent months, given his leadership role in counter-insurgency operations across the Damboa region.
Troops in his brigade have been engaged in continuous patrols, clearance operations and defensive tasks aimed at limiting insurgent movements around communities bordering the Sambisa axis.
Crediblenewsng.com
