The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has publicly claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and subsequent killing of Nigerian Army Brigade Commander M Uba in Borno State. The terrorist organization provided detailed accounts of the incident through its propaganda channels.
How the Ambush Unfolded
According to ISWAP's statement published in their propaganda newsletter magazine Amaq, the attack occurred along the Damboa-Biu axis in Borno State. The terror group ambushed the army general's team in a carefully planned operation that led to his capture.
The Nigerian Army had initially declared General Uba safe following the ambush, but ISWAP's subsequent revelations contradicted this official position. The terrorist group shared photographic evidence showing the brigade commander both in his office and after his capture.
Interrogation and Execution
ISWAP stated that after capturing General Uba, they conducted an interrogation before executing him on the spot. The group provided specific details about the sequence of events, noting that the commander had initially escaped during the Wajiroko attack.
"Islamic State fighters set out to search for him and succeeded in capturing him on Saturday, near a village, after he was wounded," the group claimed in their Arabic statement. The purported capture photos showed Uba's camouflage uniform stained with blood around his legs, indicating he sustained injuries during the operation.
Broader Security Implications
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing security challenges in multiple regions. In a separate development, suspected bandits killed two soldiers and two civilians in a fresh attack on a Benue community. The attack occurred on Wednesday when bandits ambushed the community, according to Adam Ogwola, chairman of Apa Local Government Area.
The Nigerian Army continues to face significant threats from various terrorist and bandit groups across the country. The military had recently declared a three-day national mourning period from June 25 to 27, 2025, to honor 17 soldiers killed during counter-terrorism operations in Kwana Dutse, Niger State.
Security authorities have yet to provide official comments on the latest ISWAP claims regarding General Uba's fate, leaving many questions unanswered about the circumstances surrounding his death and the current security situation in Borno State.
