Daniel Otera
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday confirmed the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba, a senior army commander killed in a deadly Borno ambush by insurgents. The announcement, made via his official X handle, ended earlier military denials and affirmed claims by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which had boasted of capturing and executing the officer.
“I am heartbroken by the painful loss of Brigadier General Musa Uba and the brave soldiers who fell in Borno,” Tinubu said. “Their families are in my prayers.”
The fatal Borno ambush occurred last Friday when General Uba, commander of the Nigerian Army’s 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, was leading a convoy near Wajiroko village. ISWAP fighters attacked the troops, sparking a fierce gun battle. The group later claimed on Monday that it had executed the captured general along with other soldiers.
Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty,” he said, praying for divine comfort for the bereaved families.
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The loss of a brigadier general — a rare occurrence in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations — represents a major tactical and psychological setback for the military, which has battled insurgency in the North-East for over a decade.
The President also issued a stern warning to the perpetrators, directing security agencies to act swiftly and decisively. “I am fully apprised of the recent uptick in violent extremism in pockets across the country, and I have directed our security agencies to respond with urgency, clarity, and decisive action,” Tinubu declared. “Those who threaten the safety of our citizens will face the full weight of the Nigerian state.”
Tributes have poured in from the defence community, where General Uba was widely regarded as a courageous and committed commander. Analysts say the Borno ambush is likely to prompt a reassessment of operational strategies, particularly regarding the movement of high-ranking officers in volatile zones.
As the armed forces prepare to respond to the President’s directive, the nation awaits a decisive counteraction to avenge the tragic losses from the Borno ambush.