Nigerian Army top officer and commander, Brigadier General M Uba, has been reportdely killed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters after the terrorists reportedly intercepted and tracked his location along the Damboa–Biu axis in Borno State.
The Brigade Commander had just taken part in a successful joint air-ground operation against local militants when the unfortunate occurrence happened.
The General had earlier confirmed to his superiors that he was safe after the operation and was regrouping with his squad, according to PRNigeria.
However, the officer’s communication may have inadvertently exposed his coordinates.
He was captured alive while the terrorists interrogated him briefly before summarily executing him.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft quickly intervened to rescue ground forces who had been heavily ambushed by ISWAP terrorists during a joint military operation, according to earlier reports.
Unaware that the road had been booby-trapped, the Brigadier General’s ground soldiers advanced into the area to start the operation.
After a fierce gunfight, the commander was compelled to submit a distress call for air support and order a tactical withdrawal due to the unexpected increase in terrorist numbers.
The military commander, his men, and accompanying members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were rescued by NAF aircraft that diverted from ongoing missions to give close air support, delivering decisive hits that helped disperse the terrorists.
Top military officials, including Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, stormed the military installation in Damboa, Borno State, on Saturday to oversee rescue efforts for some kidnapped army men, according to sources.
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According to information obtained by SaharaReporters, the officers were abducted after two soldiers and two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed in a violent ambush by fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Brigadier General M. Uba and two other soldiers were reportedly abducted as a result of the Friday night attack.
Soldiers who spoke with SaharaReporters confirmed that the 25 Brigade Commander had not yet returned to the base, despite the Nigerian Army’s earlier denial in a statement that the commander had been kidnapped.
Major General Abubakar, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), and the Sector 2 Commander arrived in Damboa soon after the attack to coordinate rescue attempts and boost troop morale, according to multiple military officials who spoke with news correspondents
“The Brigadier General who was abducted managed to send his live location to colleagues,” a senior military source revealed.
“They traced it and found the spot, but there was no trace of him. It’s unclear if his phone died or was seized by the terrorists.”
Another source added that the abducted officer appeared to have access to his phone under duress.
“Even yesterday morning, he made a video call to his dry cleaner but warned him not to talk,” the source said.
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