The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has released graphic proof confirming the cold-blooded execution of Brigadier General Musa Uba, Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade, Damboa, Borno State.
After days of conflicting reports, ISWAP’s official propaganda channels published photographs and a short video showing the senior officer in captivity with a gunshot wound to his leg, followed by images of his lifeless body.
The terror group stated he was interrogated before being killed, mocking the Nigerian military’s earlier claims that he had “safely repelled” the ambush.The fatal incident began on November 14–15 when ISWAP fighters laid a deadly ambush on a military convoy returning from patrol along the Damboa Biu road near Wajiroko.
Despite Nigerian Air Force close air support scattering the insurgents, General Uba became separated during the chaos. He survived the initial contact even maintaining radio communication with headquarters while under heavy fire but was tracked, wounded, captured the following day, and summarily executed.
Known across the theatre as a fearless, front-line commander who always led from the very front, Brig. Gen. Uba had survived multiple previous ambushes.
Soldiers under his command described him as the kind of officer who ate the same rations, slept in the same bush, and took the same risks as his men. His composure in the final radio transmissions calmly coordinating air strikes while bullets flew around him has already become legend in military circles.
This is the highest-ranking Nigerian officer killed by insurgents since Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu in 2021. The loss deals a severe blow to morale in Operation Hadin Kai at a time when ISWAP has intensified hit-and-run attacks and mine warfare in Borno and Yobe.
The Nigerian Army has not yet issued an official statement acknowledging the death, but sources confirm funeral arrangements are quietly underway.
Defence Headquarters has appointed an acting commander for the brigade while investigations continue. Tributes are pouring in from across the armed forces: He was the definition of gallant. He led from the front until the very end.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to make a formal statement in the coming hours.
Brigadier General M. Uba fought terrorism with everything he had. Today, Nigeria lost one of its bravest sons. May his soul rest in perfect peace.A true hero is gone.