A Brigadier General earlier reported to have been abducted by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters after a deadly ambush on a military convoy in Borno State late Friday has safely made it back to base.
An online platform, HumAngle reported on Saturday that “an ambush by #ISWAP fighters on a military convoy along the Biu road yesterday resulted in the deaths and injuries of several security operatives, and a Brigadier General was missing for several hours before returning to his base.”
The platform had previously detailed how the assailants—described as heavily armed and highly coordinated—targeted the convoy in what security insiders suspect was a meticulously organized strike, sending shockwaves through the area.
The attack resulted in the deaths of several soldiers as well as members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
By Saturday morning, the Nigerian Army had yet to release a formal statement confirming the ambush or addressing the status of the officer who was initially believed to have been kidnapped.
Meanwhile, security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, said the Brigade Commander was never abducted by ISWAP terrorists.
He said: “Zagazola has verified as false the viral claim circulating on social media alleging that Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters ambushed a Nigerian military convoy on Friday night, killing several soldiers and abducting a Brigade Commander with other troops.
“Following a detailed investigation supported by military sources, ground verifications, and a video released by the Brigade Commander himself, Zagazola can categorically confirm that no senior officer was abducted by ISWAP.
“Contrary to online reports, the ambush did not occur at night. The incident happened between 1330 and 1600 hours along the Main Supply Route (MSR) Burum–Kubua axis, near Azir/Wajiroko, on the Damboa–Biu road in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
“Troops of 25 Task Force Brigade, operating with Hybrid Forces and Forest Guards, came under a deliberate ISWAP ambush executed by fighters linked to Ba Shuwa and Abu Qudama, who had maneuvered from the Sabil Huda axis of Sambisa/Bama into the Timbouctou–Farouq Triangle.
“Unfortunately, two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), identified as Konto Alhaji and Garba Mohammed, were killed in action while supporting the troops during the encounter.
“Initial confusion following the firefight led to rumours of missing personnel including the Brigade Commander; however, the majority of those initially unaccounted for have since returned to base in good condition.
“Crucially, the Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. M. Uba, and his troops successfully fought through the ambush, regrouped, and executed a tactical withdrawal to safety. At no time was the Commander in terrorist custody.
“To further dispel the rumours, the Brigade Commander released a video statement, confirming he was alive, unharmed, and fully in command. Therefore the claims that ISWAP abducted a serving Brigade Commander, the first of such in Nigeria are entirely false and misleading.
“The verified facts establish that: An ambush did occur, but not at night, Two CJTF members were killed in the line of duty, The Brigade Commander and his troops extricated themselves from the ambush. The terrorists made away with some motorcycles. “