Exclusive: Military Leader Relocates to Damboa Base Amidst Army Officers' Abduction by ISWAP
In a recent development, SaharaReporters has uncovered that the abduction of several army officers occurred following a violent ambush by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, resulting in the tragic loss of life. The incident took place near Damboa, Borno State, and has sparked a swift response from the military leadership.
The operation's Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, along with other high-ranking officials, has arrived at the Damboa military base to oversee rescue operations for the abducted personnel. This move underscores the gravity of the situation and the determination of the military to address the crisis.
The attack, which occurred on Friday night, not only resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) but also led to the reported abduction of a senior officer, Brigadier General M Uba, along with two other soldiers. The Nigerian Army initially denied the abduction, but soldiers confirmed the commander's absence from the base.
Multiple military sources revealed that Major General Abubakar and the Sector 2 Commander arrived at Damboa shortly after the attack to coordinate rescue efforts and boost troop morale. One source shared that the abducted Brigadier General managed to send his live location to colleagues, who traced it but found no trace of him. It remains unclear whether his phone died or was seized by the terrorists.
Another source suggested that the abducted officer may have had access to his phone under duress, as he made a video call to his dry cleaner yesterday morning, warning him not to speak. Despite deploying troops to the location shared by the officer, they returned without success. One soldier who was shot and abducted along with him was reportedly freed, but the senior officer and two others remain missing.
In response to the crisis, Brigadier General Mustapha has been appointed to lead the 26 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, while troops previously engaged in the rescue operation were withdrawn early on Sunday. According to top military officers, information suggests that the Brigadier-General was abducted alongside three other soldiers, one of whom was shot and left behind in the bush. Those who returned to the camp on foot were two Majors.
The military's swift response and the appointment of new leadership indicate a commitment to addressing the situation. However, the abduction of a serving Brigade Commander by an extremist group in Nigeria is an unprecedented and alarming development. If confirmed, it would mark the first time an extremist group has successfully captured a serving General directly from the frontline, raising concerns about the security and stability of the region.
