The Nigerian Army has strongly denied circulating reports claiming that a Brigade Commander was abducted during a terrorist ambush in Borno State, labeling the information as completely false.
Official Statement Refutes Abduction Claims
In an official statement released on Saturday, November 15, 2025, Lieutenant-Colonel Apollonia Anele, the acting director of Army Public Relations, categorically dismissed the abduction reports as "fake news" and urged the public to disregard them entirely. The clarification came in response to growing speculation about the fate of military personnel following an attack on troops in the Damboa area.
Details of the Ambush Incident
The confrontation occurred on Friday night, November 14, when troops from the 25 Task Force Brigade were returning from a successful patrol operation around the Sambisa Forest. The military personnel had been conducting routine patrols to secure communities around Wajiroko in Azi Multe, located within Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The patrol team was under the leadership of Brigadier General M Uba, Commander of the 25 Brigade, and included both regular army personnel and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). During the ambush, the military suffered significant casualties, with two soldiers and two CJTF officers paying the supreme price during the intense confrontation with terrorists.
Public Reaction and Video Evidence
A video of the incident shared by Zagazola, a recognized security expert, has sparked various reactions from Nigerians across social media platforms. Many commentators have criticized what they describe as irresponsible journalism, while others have expressed concerns about military intelligence and operational security.
One social media user, Lukman, commented: "Thank you all for confronting this sudden journalism of Doom, by some unprofessional fools, parading themselves as bloggers to farm engagement." Another user, Frusk720, advised caution: "We have Lots of outsider 'analysts' who were excited about the fake news that a Brigadier general was abducted. My point is that we should always wait for confirmation and evidence before we can make solid conclusions."
The Nigerian Army maintains that despite the casualties suffered during the ambush, all reports suggesting the abduction of any senior military officer, including Brigade Commander Brigadier General M Uba, are entirely fabricated and should be treated as misinformation.
