Army dismisses ISWAP claim of capturing and killing senior General in Borno

Confusion and tension have trailed conflicting accounts from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the Nigerian Army over the alleged capture and execution of Brigadier General M. Uba during a clash in Borno State.

ISWAP, through its propaganda outlet, claimed the senior officer was seized during a firefight near Wajiroko village and later executed after interrogation. The group released statements asserting that its fighters overpowered a military convoy led by the general, capturing him alive before killing him.

However, the Nigerian Army has firmly denied the claim, describing the report as “fake” and part of ISWAP’s ongoing psychological warfare. Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Onyechi Anele stated that Brigadier General Uba was not abducted and had successfully returned to base with his troops after the engagement with militants.

The conflicting narratives have generated public concern, prompting reactions from prominent Nigerians. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said he was “deeply troubled” by the reports and urged the military to provide clear and transparent information on the incident. Former lawmaker Shehu Sani also expressed sadness, describing the general as “a brave and gallant soldier,” while calling for a full investigation into what transpired.

Civil society organisation HURIWA condemned the situation, labeling the alleged execution if confirmed as a “national disgrace.” The group criticised what it described as systemic security lapses and called for an overhaul of Nigeria’s military intelligence operations.

Security analysts note that if ISWAP’s claims were true, the incident would represent a serious escalation, as the capture of such a senior officer is rare in Nigeria’s long-running counterinsurgency operations. However, the absence of independent verification has left the situation unclear, with both sides pushing sharply opposing accounts.

The Nigerian military has yet to release additional details, but officials say they are intensifying operations across the northeast to counter renewed militant activity.