A senior Nigerian Army officer, Brigadier-General M. Uba, has been killed by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in a targeted ambush along the Damboa–Biu road in Borno State. The attack occurred shortly after the general took part in a major joint air and ground offensive that dealt significant blows to insurgent positions in the region.
According to military sources, ISWAP militants intercepted and tracked Uba’s movements using sophisticated surveillance techniques. The general had earlier communicated his safety to his superiors following the operation, but his transmission is believed to have inadvertently revealed his coordinates to hostile actors monitoring signals in the area.
Moments later, ISWAP fighters launched a coordinated ambush on the military convoy transporting the senior officer. The attack resulted in the killing of Brig.-Gen. Uba, several soldiers, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who were accompanying the troops.
Security analysts say the incident highlights ISWAP’s growing reliance on advanced intelligence-gathering, including the interception of military communication channels—a tactic the group has increasingly employed to target high-ranking officers and movements of tactical units.
In response, the Nigerian Army has immediately appointed Brigadier-General Mustapha as the acting commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, pending further restructuring. Senior military commanders have also been deployed to the area to assess the situation, coordinate follow-up operations, and restore morale among troops shaken by the loss.
The Army is reportedly reviewing its operational communication protocols and movement procedures to prevent future breaches, particularly in high-risk zones where ISWAP maintains a strong presence.
The killing of Brigadier-General Uba marks one of the most significant losses for the Nigerian military in recent months. His death has sparked renewed calls for enhanced intelligence capabilities, improved battlefield technology, and strengthened coordination across military formations.
Officials say a comprehensive counter-operation is underway to hunt down the insurgents responsible for the attack, while rescue teams continue to recover remains and aid injured personnel.
