After surviving years of fierce battles against insurgents in Nigeria’s North-east, Brigadier General Musa Uba, commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade, has tragically lost his life following an ambush by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) last Friday.
General Uba was leading his men alongside operatives of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) along the Damboa–Biu axis when the insurgents struck. Four operatives—two soldiers and two CJTF members—were killed in the attack. Although the commander initially escaped and was already in communication with military authorities to return to base, he was later captured by the attackers and subsequently killed.
Brigadier General Uba, whose death has shaken the military community, was widely regarded as a courageous officer who had fought numerous battles in the region. Military sources and his coursemates from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) described him as a committed infantry officer who dedicated his life to defending the country.
A member of the NDA’s 48 Regular Course, he studied Political Science before being commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2001. Born and raised in Makurdi, Benue State, he began his service at a battalion in Jaji, Kaduna State, according to his coursemate Musa Salmanu, a retired Air Force wing commander. Salmanu remembered him as observant, calm, and deeply concerned about the welfare of his subordinates. He added that General Uba was charismatic and carried a strong presence that made him stand out in any gathering.
General Uba’s military journey spanned multiple assignments: he served with a Nigerian contingent under the United Nations, worked as a staff officer at the NDA, and commanded the 177 Battalion in Keffi, Nasarawa State, during his years as a lieutenant colonel. He steadily rose through the ranks and had been projected to attain the rank of major general by 2028.
About a year ago, he was recommended by the military high command to head the 25 Task Force Brigade, a posting informed by his leadership style and operational bravery. A senior colleague from the NDA noted that insurgent groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, had long targeted him because of his fearless approach to leading troops into enemy territories. His death, the officer said, remains a devastating loss.
General Uba was married with children. As of the time of this report, the Nigerian military has not yet issued an official announcement regarding his death.
What you should know
Brigadier General Musa Uba spent more than two decades on the frontline, rising through the ranks as a respected infantry officer known for his bravery and compassion.
His leadership in some of the most volatile areas of the North-east earned him deep admiration among colleagues, making his death a significant blow to ongoing counterinsurgency efforts.
