A Nigerian Army Officer, Brigadier-General M. Uba of 25 Task Force Brigade, has been killed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) members after the terrorists reportedly intercepted and tracked his location along the Damboa–Biu axis in Borno State, multiple security sources have confirmed.
The tragic incident occurred shortly after the Brigade Commander had participated in a successful joint air–ground offensive against insurgents in the area.
According to PRNigeria, the General had earlier spoken with his superiors, confirming that he was safe following the operation and was regrouping with his team.
However, the officer’s communication may have inadvertently exposed his coordinates.
He was captured alive while the terrorists interrogated him briefly before summarily executing him.
Earlier reports detailed a joint military operation in which the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft swiftly intervened to rescue ground troops who had come under heavy ambush by ISWAP terrorists.
The operation began when ground forces, led by the Brigadier General, advanced into the area, unaware that the route had been booby-trapped.
Following an intense exchange of gunfire, the sudden surge in terrorist numbers forced the commander to order a tactical withdrawal and issue a distress call for air support.
Responding, NAF aircraft diverted from ongoing missions to provide close air support, delivering decisive strikes that helped disperse the terrorists and rescue the military commander, his troops, and accompanying members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
It was gathered that the abduction of the officers followed a violent ambush by fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) that left two soldiers and two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) dead.
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The attack, which occurred on Friday night also led to the reported abduction of Brigadier General M Uba, along with two other soldiers.
Although the Nigerian Army in a release earlier denied the abduction of the 25 Brigade Commander.
In a statement, army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele confirmed the ambush against the troops of 25 Task Force Brigade, which General Uba was leading.
She said the troops came under “sudden and heavy insurgents fire” while returning from a routine patrol around the fringes of the Sambisa Forest.
Describing the news of General Uba’s abduction as a “fake narrative”, the army said four personnel, two soldiers and two members of a vigilante group, CJTF, were killed during the attack.
ISWAP claims it executed GeneraUba
In an Arabic statement published in its propaganda newsletter magazine, Amaq, ISWAP said it had captured Mr Uba and executed him after he was interrogated.
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