The Nigerian Army has confirmed that troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade came under a fierce ambush by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Borno State, leaving two soldiers and two Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) operatives dead.
The attack unfolded on Friday evening near Sabon Gari along the perilous Damboa–Biu highway—an area long stalked by insurgent violence.
In a statement, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, said the troops were returning from a successful clearance operation in Sambisa Forest and had been conducting a routine patrol around Wajiroko in Azir Multe when the terrorists struck from concealed positions.
Despite being caught in a sudden, heavy barrage of gunfire, the patrol team led by the Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General M. Uba—fought through the ambush, deploying what Anele described as “superior firepower” that forced the insurgents to flee in disarray.
Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff, praised the fallen as heroes whose courage and sacrifice embody the daily battles waged to keep Nigeria safe.
Shortly after the incident, rumours circulated online alleging that Brigadier General Uba had been abducted by ISWAP fighters.
The Nigerian Army swiftly dismissed the claims as false and mischievous.
“The Army Headquarters wishes to debunk the fake narrative. The general public is advised to disregard the fake news,” Anele stated.
Security sources confirmed that the intensity of the ambush briefly created confusion about the commander’s whereabouts as troops regrouped, but the Army clarified that he was never captured and had, in fact, led the counter-assault.
A CJTF operative in Nzula also confirmed the casualties, adding that the attackers made away with several motorcycles belonging to security forces.
Local residents said the patrol convoy of two Hilux vans, two armoured personnel carriers, and multiple motorcycles, left Damboa around 2:00 p.m. before walking into the ambush hours later, further underscoring the persistent threat posed by ISWAP along key routes in the region.
