The Nigerian Army has officially confirmed that troops from the 25 Task Force Brigade in Borno State were ambushed by insurgents, but strongly refuted earlier reports claiming that the brigade’s commander was kidnapped.
According to a statement by Lieutenant-Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, the attack took place as the patrol was returning from a successful operation on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest. The unit — which included both 25 Brigade soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) — came under heavy fire along the Wajiroko–Azir Multe axis in Damboa Local Government Area.
In the ensuing firefight, the Army confirmed that two soldiers and two CJTF operatives were killed. Lt.-Col. Anele said that despite the sudden and intense attack, the troops “fought through the ambush with superior firepower,” compelling the insurgents to retreat.
Contrary to circulating rumours, the Army denied that Brigadier-General M. Uba, commander of the 25 Brigade, was abducted. In fact, the statement clarified that he was leading his men during the ambush and successfully brought them back to base.
Anele described reports of his kidnapping as a “fake narrative” and urged the public to ignore them.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, paid tribute to the fallen soldiers and CJTF members, saluting their “uncommon bravery, resilience, and sacrifice” in one of Nigeria’s most volatile conflict zones.
