Army Debunks Abduction Report, Says Brigade Commander Led Troops to Safety After Ambush

Eshiorameh Sebastian in Abuja

The Nigerian Army has officially denied circulating reports that a Brigade Commander was abducted during a recent operation in Borno State, confirming instead that the officer successfully led his troops through a fierce ambush.

The clarification was issued by Lieutenant Colonel Apollonia Anele, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, to counter what it termed a “fake narrative” gaining traction online regarding the security incident in Wajiroko, Damboa Local Government Area.

The statement was prompted by an early report from Premium Times that Brigadier General M. Uba, Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade, had been captured by terrorists. The Army described this information as entirely false, urging the public to “disregard the fake news regarding the incident.”

According to the detailed account provided by the Army, the event unfolded when troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade, alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), were returning from a successful routine patrol within the fringes of Sambisa Forest. While en route to their base, the patrol team “came under a sudden and heavy insurgents fire” in an ambush.

The Army emphasized that Brigadier General Uba was not only present but directly led the counter-offensive. The patrol team “courageously fought through the insurgents ambush with superior fire power, forcing them to withdraw in disarray and to abandon their mission,” the statement read.

This narrative was presented to firmly refute the online speculation, establishing that the commander was actively directing the response that ultimately repelled the attack.

However, the victory came at a cost. The Army confirmed that “two brave soldiers and two heroic CJTF members paid the supreme price while on active service to the nation.” The statement extended the Army’s commiseration to the families and associates of the deceased, honouring their “heroic sacrifice to the nation.”

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, was quoted in the release, saluting the “uncommon bravery, resilience and sacrifice of the gallant troops.” The statement highlighted that these personnel “have continued to operate in one of the most dangerous theatres of conflict on behalf of our dear nation,” noting that their commitment serves as a “powerful reminder of the daily sacrifices being made by our gallant service men and women to keep Nigeria safe.”