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ISWAP Terrorists Kill Army Brigade Commander
Brigadier General U. Uba, 25 Brigade Commander of Damboa, has reportedly been confirmed killed by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.
According to Zagazola Makama, before his unfortunate capture, the Brigade Commander made a video stating that he was okay, but unfortunately, after several hours, he lost orientation within the forest.
“The troops, both ground and air made several efforts to rescue the Commander who told them he was on his way to return to his base. He was unfortunately re-captured by the terrorists after viral report of his abduction went viral,” Zagazola Makama wrote on X on Monday.
Providing further details, Zagazola Makama wrote: “In the chaotic hours following the ISWAP ambush along the Burum–Kubua axis of the Damboa–Biu road, confusion spread rapidly both on the ground and across social media. Shortly after the encounter, the Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. M. Uba, who had tactically maneuvered out of the kill zone with his men, temporarily took cover inside the forest.
From that concealed position, he established communication with the Theatre Commander, confirming his safety and proof of life in a video Watssap call. He also sent his Live location through his Wattssap which prompted ground and Air rescue mission by Air and surface troops of Operation HADIN KAI.
“However, before official channels could release accurate information, social media platforms were flooded with sensational claims. Several blogs and influencers falsely reported that ISWAP had abducted a Brigade Commander a narrative that instantly went viral due to its shock value.
What followed was an information wildfire. The more the story spread, the more the terrorists, who initially had no situational awareness about the Commander’s movement, were alerted. Media amplification effectively turned him into the most sought-after “golden fish” in the Sambisa axis, prompting ISWAP cells linked to Ba Shuwa and Abu Qudama to intensify their scramble for a target they never actually had.
“This misreporting created an unnecessary operational burden, as troops had to factor in the media-induced pressure while conducting recovery and reorganisation. It also heightened public anxiety and momentarily disrupted the flow of accurate battlefield communication.
“At the time of the report, Zagazola dismissed the viral claims as entirely false. Verified accounts confirmed that a video released by the Commander himself confirmed he was alive, unharmed, and fully in control.
“Unfortunately, Gen. Uba’s mobile phone became unreachable and he was not found at the Live location he initially provided. The Theatre Commander himself led troops to Azir and remained there for almost 24 hours searching for the Commander without any trace.
In the end, the Brigade Commander was recaptured while attempting to maneuver his way out of the terrorists infested forest.
“This incident illustrated a recurring challenge in conflict reporting: how information can endanger personnel and inadvertently assist hostile groups by providing them with operational clues.”
Recall that ISWAP terrorists had ambushed a Nigerian military convoy in a late-night attack on Friday, killing several soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF.
The commander had led troops of the 25 Brigade Task Force on a routine patrol to secure communities around Wajiroko in Azir Multe, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The insurgents, armed with sophisticated weapons, reportedly launched a coordinated strike on the convoy, leaving multiple casualties and triggering fresh fears across communities in the northeastern region.
In a development described as unprecedented, the terrorists were said to have abducted a serving Brigade Commander alongside other military personnel during the assault.
HumAngle, in its report, stated, “ISWAP fighters last night ambushed a Nigerian military convoy, killing several soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
“In an unprecedented escalation, the insurgents abducted a Brigade Commander alongside other troops.”
However, the Nigerian Army denied reports claiming that the 25 Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. U. Uba, was kidnapped by the insurgents.
Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, in a statement on Saturday, admitted that the troops came under sudden and heavy insurgent fire while returning from a successful patrol within the fringes of Sambisa Forest.
The army spokesperson said the team courageously fought through the insurgents’ ambush with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray and to abandon their mission.
She said the team comprised troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
“During the encounter, two brave soldiers and two heroic CJTF members paid the supreme price while on active service to the nation.
“The Army Headquarters also wishes to debunk the fake narrative going around some media platforms online alleging the abduction of the Brigade Commander.
“The general public is hereby advised to disregard the fake news regarding the incident while praying for the continuous success of our gallant servicemen and women,” she said.
The trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Monday stalled after two co-defendants failed to appear before a Federal High Court in Kaduna.
El-Rufai, who is standing trial on charges of alleged abuse of office, fraud, and financial misconduct filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), was present in court for the proceedings.
The former governor arrived at the court alongside officials of the ICPC, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and police personnel.
However, the court could not proceed with the case due to the absence of the two co-defendants, leading to an adjournment.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to June 28, 2026, for continuation of the hearing.
El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations against him, while prosecutors allege that public funds were improperly released for projects that were either not executed or were irregularly handled during his tenure as governor.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), and three other political parties.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, also directed that the order apply to the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The ruling stemmed from a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators.
In the suit, the plaintiffs asked the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to deregister political parties that fail to meet the performance thresholds set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC regulations.
According to the former legislators, the five political parties had consistently failed to meet the required constitutional benchmarks. These include winning at least 25 percent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective seat at the national, state, or local government level.
They further told the court that the ADC and the four other parties performed poorly in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, failing to secure seats across key tiers of government. The plaintiffs argued that the continued recognition of the parties is unlawful and undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
On that basis, they urged the court to declare that INEC is duty-bound to deregister such parties and compel the commission to do so before preparations for the 2027 elections progress further. They also sought, and obtained, an order restraining the affected parties from participating in elections or engaging in political activities such as campaigns, rallies, and primaries.
Additionally, the suit sought an injunction barring INEC from recognizing or dealing with the parties in any official capacity.
The Borno, Oyo, Kebbi, Kano and Niger State Governments has declared Tuesday a public holiday to commorate the first day of the Islamic Calender Year, 1448 after Hijira.
The year 1448 AH (Anno Hegirae) is the current year in the Islamic calendar.
Since the Hijri calendar is based on lunar cycles, it is approximately 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.
As a result, the year 1448 AH overlaps parts of both the 2026 and 2027 Gregorian calendar years.
In a statement released on Sunday, the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar urged residents to use the period to rededicate themselves to peaceful co-existance and service to humanity and development.
The statement reads “This is to inform the general public that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, mni, FNSE, has declared Tuesday 1st Day of Muharram 1448 After Hijira (AH), which is equivalent to Tuesday 16th June 2026 as a Public Holiday to commerate the first day of the Islamic Calender Year 1448 (AH).
“All citizens are therefore enjoined to be faithful and reflect on this important date and rededicate themselves to peaceful co-existance and service to humanity and development of our dear state in particular” he stated.
Tar also enjoined citizens to embrace the virtues of unity, solidarity, togetherness, tolerance, justice, mercy and multiculturalism that are essential to ensuring unity in diversity and unity of mankind.
“The Government and good people of Borno are committed to the unity, prosperity and existence of Nigeria, and to projecting Nigeria’s good image among the comity of nations in a globalised universe” he noted.
The commissioner said Governor Zulum enjoined the people of the state to pray for a peaceful, plural democratic entity, calling on all communities and faith groups to live in harmony and togetherness.
The Oyo State Government has declared Tuesday, June 16, 2026, as a public holiday.
This was made known in a circular signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Musibau Adetunji Babatunde, and made available to newsmen on Monday.
According to the release, the work-free day is in honour of the Hijrah 1448AH celebration across the world. The government urged the citizens, especially Muslim faithful, to use the occasion to pray for the continued peace, unity, and progress of the state and the country in general.
The Niger State Government has declared Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a work-free day across the state to mark the commencement of the Islamic New Year 1448 AH.
The declaration, approved by Mohammed Umaru Bago, is intended to enable Muslims and other residents to reflect on the spiritual significance of the Hijrah—the historic migration of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah.
The Secretary to the Government of Niger State, Abubakar Usman, described the Hijrah as a symbol of sacrifice, perseverance, faith, discipline, resilience, and commitment to righteousness.
The Kano State Government has declared Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a public holiday to commemorate the beginning of the Islamic New Year, 1448 AH.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday by the State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf congratulated Muslims in Kano State and across the country on witnessing the new Islamic year, which begins with Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
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