NIGERIA: Iswap Claims Execution Of Brigadier General Uba In Borno Ambush Despite Army Denial

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed it killed Brigadier General M. Uba following the ambush of a military convoy on Friday along Damboa Road near Wajiroko in Borno State, directly contradicting the Nigerian Army’s denial of the senior officer’s death or abduction.

In a statement posted on its Amaq propaganda channel, the terrorist group said its fighters ambushed troops and operatives of the Civilian Joint Task Force who were transporting military equipment, opened fire on the convoy, seized at least seventeen military motorcycles, and killed two CJTF operatives and two soldiers during the ensuing gun battle.

ISWAP further claimed it captured and subsequently executed the brigadier general.

The army had on Saturday strongly rejected reports of the general’s abduction or death.

Spokesperson Onyechi Anele stated that Brigadier General Uba personally led the counter-attack with superior firepower, forced the insurgents to withdraw in disarray, and safely returned with his troops to base.

She confirmed the deaths of two CJTF operatives and two soldiers but insisted the senior officer was unharmed.

A video statement attributed to Uba was also released showing him confirming he was alive and fully in command.

The conflicting accounts have heightened concern over the security situation along the Damboa axis, a known hotspot for insurgent activity in the North East.