THE Nigerian Army has confirmed that troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade were ambushed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Borno State while returning from a successful mission in the Sambisa Forest, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
The incident occurred on Friday around 5pm near Sabon Gari along the volatile Damboa–Biu highway, a route frequently targeted by insurgents.
In a statement made available to News Point Nigeria, Appolonia Anele, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, said the troops were on a routine patrol to secure communities around Wajiroko in Azir Multe, Damboa Local Government Area, when they came under sudden, heavy fire from insurgents concealed along the route.
She explained that the patrol team led by the Commander, 25 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General M. Uba fought back with “superior firepower,” forcing the terrorists to retreat and abandon their objective.
“The patrol team courageously fought through the insurgents’ ambush with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray,” Anele said.
According to the Army spokesperson, two soldiers and two CJTF operatives paid the supreme price during the encounter.
The Army high command extended condolences to the families of the deceased while praising their bravery and sacrifice in one of the country’s most dangerous theatres of conflict.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, salutes the uncommon bravery, resilience, and sacrifice of the gallant troops,” the statement read.
“Their unflinching commitment, even in the face of grave danger, remains a powerful reminder of the daily sacrifices being made to keep Nigeria safe.”
Following the ambush, reports circulated across some online platforms alleging that the Brigade Commander, Brig Gen Uba, had been abducted by ISWAP fighters. The Nigerian Army dismissed these claims as false and misleading.
“The Army Headquarters wishes to debunk the fake narrative… The general public is advised to disregard the fake news regarding the incident,” Anele stated.
Multiple security and local sources had earlier told News Point Nigeria that the ambush temporarily left the senior officer unaccounted for as troops regrouped amid the fierce firefight.
However, the Army clarified that the Brigade Commander led the troops in fighting through the ambush and was never captured.
A CJTF operative in Nzula who spoke to News Point Nigeria confirmed that insurgents killed at least two soldiers and two CJTF personnel and carted away several motorcycles belonging to the security forces.
A Damboa resident familiar with the convoy’s movements said the patrol column made up of two Hilux vans, two armoured personnel carriers, and multiple motorcycles had departed Damboa around 2pm before running into the ISWAP ambush hours later.
“Reinforcement later moved from Damboa, two Hilux and two armoured vehicles after we got news of the attack,” the resident said.
Sources told this newspaper that the remains of the slain CJTF operatives were transported to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where they were buried according to Islamic rites.