According to reports, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have announced the death of Brigadier General U. Uba, the 25 Brigade Commander of Damboa.
Zagazola Makama claims that prior to his tragic capture, the Brigade Commander recorded a video in which he said he was well. Sadly, after a few hours, he became disoriented in the wilderness.
The Commander informed the troops that he was on his way back to his base, and the ground and air forces made multiple attempts to save him. After a widely shared news of his kidnapping went viral, he was regrettably recaptured by the terrorists, Zagazola Makama wrote on X on Monday.
Zagazola Makama added more information, writing: “Confusion quickly spread both on the ground and across social media in the chaotic hours following the ISWAP ambush along the Burum–Kubua axis of the Damboa–Biu road.” Brig. Gen. M. Uba, the Brigade Commander, temporarily sought refuge inside the forest shortly after the engagement after he and his men had strategically moved out of the death zone.
He communicated with the Theatre Commander from that covert location, using a video Watssap call to verify his safety and provide evidence of life. Additionally, he reported his live location using Wattssap, which prompted Operation HADIN KAI’s air and ground forces to launch a rescue mission.
However, sensational allegations inundated social media platforms before official channels could disseminate real information. The bogus claim that ISWAP had kidnapped a Brigade Commander was spread by a number of bloggers and influencers, and because of its shock value, the story quickly went viral.
“A wildfire of information ensued.” The terrorists, who at first had no situational awareness of the Commander’s movement, became more attentive as the narrative circulated. He became the most sought-after “golden fish” in the Sambisa axis thanks to media amplification, which caused ISWAP cells connected to Ba Shuwa and Abu Qudama to step up their hunt for a target they never had.
“Troops had to consider the pressure from the media while performing recovery and reorganization, which resulted in an unnecessary operational burden due to this misreporting.” Additionally, it temporarily interrupted the flow of accurate battlefield communication and increased civilian fear.
“Zagazola rejected the viral assertions as wholly untrue at the time of the story. A video that the Commander himself provided verified that he was alive, uninjured, and in complete command, according to verified accounts.
“Unfortunately, Gen. Uba was not located at the Live location he initially provided, and his cell phone became unreachable.” The Theater Commander personally led the troops to Azir, where they searched for the Commander without finding him for about twenty-four hours.
Ultimately, the Brigade Commander was arrested again while trying to escape the terrorist-infested woodland.
“This incident demonstrated a persistent problem in conflict reporting: information can put personnel in danger and unintentionally help hostile groups by giving them operational clues.”
Remember that in a late-night raid on Friday, ISWAP militants ambushed a Nigerian military convoy, killing multiple troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
In order to protect the communities surrounding Wajiroko in Azir Multe, Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State, the commander had led soldiers from the 25 Brigade Task Force on a routine patrol.
Armed with advanced weaponry, the rebels allegedly conducted a concerted attack on the convoy, resulting in numerous casualties and creating new anxieties among the northeastern region’s towns.
Along with other military troops, a serving Brigade Commander was allegedly kidnapped by the terrorists during the attack, an event that was considered as unprecedented.
“ISWAP fighters ambushed a Nigerian military convoy last night, killing several soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF),” HumAngle said.
“The rebels kidnapped a Brigade Commander along with other soldiers in an unprecedented escalation.”
The Nigerian Army, however, refuted claims that the rebels had abducted Brig.-Gen. U. Uba, the commander of the 25 Brigade.
In a statement on Saturday, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, acknowledged that while returning from a successful patrol within the boundaries of Sambisa Forest, the forces were subjected to unexpected and intense insurgent fire.
According to the army spokesperson, the unit bravely used superior firepower to fight through the militants’ ambush, forcing them to abandon their mission and escape in disorder.
According to her, the squad included members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and soldiers from the 25 Task Force Brigade.
“While serving their country, two courageous soldiers and two valiant CJTF members paid the ultimate sacrifice during the engagement.
“The Army Headquarters also wants to refute the false narrative circulating on several online media platforms that claims the Brigade Commander was abducted.
She declared, “The public is hereby advised to ignore the fake news regarding the incident while praying for our gallant servicemen and women’s continued success.”
