Political Leaders Demand Transparency in Army Commander's Death
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna Central senator Shehu Sani have called for clear explanations regarding the controversial circumstances surrounding the reported death of Brigadier-General Musa Uba. The demand comes after Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants claimed responsibility for executing the senior military officer following an ambush in Borno State.
Conflicting Accounts of the Ambush
Militants from ISWAP announced on Monday that they had captured and killed General Uba after attacking a military convoy near Wajiroko village. According to the terror group's statement released through its Amaq channel, the ambush occurred late Friday when the convoy led by Uba of the 25 Task Force Brigade was returning from patrol duties.
The Nigerian Army has strongly denied these claims, describing them as "fake news" and maintaining that General Uba remained safe after soldiers successfully repelled the ambush. However, ISWAP escalated the controversy by releasing a picture collage showing General Uba both in his office and in what they claimed was his captured state.
The terrorist group provided detailed allegations, stating that their fighters captured the commander after he fled from the initial Wajiroko attack. They claimed that upon receiving intelligence about Uba's escape, a specialized unit searched for and captured him on Saturday near a village while he was wounded.
Political Reactions and Security Concerns
Atiku Abubakar expressed profound concern about the incident through a statement on his X account, describing himself as "deeply saddened and extremely shocked and disturbed" by the developments. The former presidential candidate criticized the military's communication handling and linked the incident to broader leadership failures.
Atiku directly accused President Bola Tinubu of prioritizing political opposition suppression over national security, stating that the incident represents "a failure of political leadership." He emphasized that security of citizens' lives constitutes the President's primary responsibility and called for either improved performance or resignation.
The former vice president proposed that if he were president, he would order the military to occupy any state under siege by armed groups until complete clearance operations. He stressed the importance of properly caring for military personnel who risk their lives for national security.
Senator Shehu Sani responded through social media, characterizing terrorist propaganda as attempts to "cowardly portray their power and send a threatening message to the world." He urged Nigerians not to allow such tactics to demoralize the nation confronting terrorism.
Sani described General Uba as "a brave and gallant soldier, an indomitable spirit who marched toward the fire in order to save his country" and called for thorough investigation into any security lapses that might have contributed to the ambush. He emphasized celebrating the officer's courage and patriotism rather than glorifying terrorist crimes.
The senator reminded the public that Nigeria has engaged in continuous battle against terrorism for fifteen years, asserting that terrorism has never ultimately prevailed and will never win against the nation's resilience.
