Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the killing of Brig. Gen. Musa Uba by militants from the Boko Haram offshoot ISWAP, days after the senior military officer was abducted during an ambush in northeastern Borno State that also left four soldiers dead.
Tinubu’s confirmation came through a statement issued Tuesday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in which the president expressed deep sorrow over the “tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty.”
Local media had earlier reported that Uba was kidnapped on Friday night when ISWAP militants ambushed his team — which included operatives from the Civilian Joint Task Force — in the Lake Chad region. Four soldiers were killed in the attack.
The Nigerian Army initially denied the reports, insisting the general had not been abducted and rejecting claims that soldiers were killed. However, on Monday, ISWAP released photos claiming it had captured and executed the brigadier general.
While the military has remained silent since the group’s announcement, Tinubu’s statement marks the first official confirmation of the general’s death.
This incident represents the first known case in which a high-ranking Nigerian military officer has been captured, interrogated, and killed by a terrorist organization, underscoring the severe challenges facing the country’s counterterrorism efforts.
In a related development, Tinubu has ordered security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue schoolgirls kidnapped in Kebbi State. He also urged communities nationwide to share intelligence with the military, police, and intelligence services to help strengthen local security.