Army Silent as ISWAP Publishes Proof of Commander’s Execution

Brigade Commander M. Uba, earlier said to be safe after an ambush in Borno State, has been confirmed dead after the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) released images claiming he was captured and killed. The development contradicts the Nigerian Army’s initial statement that the senior officer had survived the attack along the Damboa–Biu road.

The incident began on Friday night when ISWAP fighters targeted troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade during a patrol near Sambisa Forest. The army said the ambush was repelled and reported the deaths of two soldiers and two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force. But security sources later revealed that the commander had only made temporary contact with his superiors after escaping with the support of an air operation.

ISWAP issued its own account through its Amaq media channel, saying its fighters pursued the officer after receiving information that he had fled the first attack. The group published photographs showing the commander alive in captivity and claimed he was interrogated before being executed. The faction said the operation was carried out on Saturday in a nearby village where they found him wounded.

Analysts say the killing highlights ongoing concerns about communication security within the military’s North-East operations. The Nigerian Army has not yet issued an official statement on the commander’s death.