Fact Check: Did ISWAP Kill Brigadier General Uba?

Reports emerged online claiming that Brigadier M. Uba, Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade, was kidnapped and killed by the so-called terrorist group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) after an ambush along the Damboa–Biu axis of Borno State on Friday, 15 November 2024.

The Nigerian Army quickly dismissed the reports, calling them false. But new statements and images released by ISWAP, supported by independent security sources, have complicated the narrative.

Army Initially Denies Kidnapping Rumours

Following the attack, the Nigerian Army issued a statement confirming that troops “came under sudden and heavy insurgent fire” during a routine patrol near the fringes of the Sambisa Forest.

Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Appolonia Anele rejected the reports of Brigadier Uba’s abduction, describing them as a “fake narrative.”
She confirmed that two soldiers and two CJTF operatives were killed but insisted the brigade commander was safe, having survived the ambush.

ISWAP Releases Statement, Photos Claiming Execution

Contrary to the Army’s position, ISWAP released an Arabic statement through its propaganda outlet, Amaq, claiming it had captured and executed the senior officer.

The terror group published a collage showing Brigadier Uba in his office and another photo purportedly taken after his capture, with visible bloodstains on his camouflage.

In the statement, ISWAP said:
“Islamic State fighters overthrew a senior officer in the Nigerian army after a successful ambush on a military force in Borno…”

It added that the commander was intercepted after fleeing the initial firefight:
“A picture of the brigade commander from inside his office and a picture of him after he was captured by the Islamic State.”

The group also mocked the military’s earlier denial, calling it an “outright lie and a miserable security failure.”

Security Platform PRNigeria Corroborates ISWAP’s Account

PRNigeria, a platform with strong ties to security agencies, reported that the general had initially escaped the ambush with the help of an aerial operation and even contacted his superiors to confirm his safety.

However, the outlet said ISWAP fighters tracked him down after intercepting information about his location:

“Reports of his location compelled the terrorists to track him down, leading to his capture and subsequent summary execution after an interrogation,” the platform reported.

PRNigeria also described the killing as the first time ISWAP would execute an officer of such a high rank, and linked the incident to “insecure military communications” in the region.

Army Silent After ISWAP’s Publication

Despite the new claims and the release of images, the Army has issued no follow-up clarification.
Attempts by journalists to reach the spokesperson were unsuccessful:

“Calls and a message sent to Ms Anele were not responded to at the time of this report.”

Claim Remains Unverified

At this time, the circumstances surrounding Brigadier Uba’s fate remain unverified, as the army insists the commander was never abducted.

The so-called terrorist group ISWAP also claims it captured and executed him and provided images as proof.

Meanwhile, PRNigeria and other security-focused platforms have corroborated ISWAP’s account through independent sources.

At the time of filing this report, there is no updated military statement addressing the new revelations.

While ISWAP’s claims cannot yet be independently authenticated, the army’s earlier position that the commander was “safe” is now strongly in doubt.
The truth remains unclear pending official confirmation.