On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, it was reported that the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) has killed the Brigadier General Musa Uba in Borno state, Northeast Nigeria.
According to the reports, ISWAP claimed the responsibility via its official Telegraph page, thereby causing huge security concern in the zone that has been bedeviled by growing insecurity.
However, WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that Brigadier-General is the second to the highest-ranking army officer to have lost his life to the Islamist Jihad group since 2021 in a theatre operation.
List of Army commanders that have lost their life in theatre operation in recent time
So many high-ranking army officers have lost their life in the fight against Boko Haram or ISWAP in recent time.
Brigadier-General Musa Uba
He was born in Makurdi, Benue state to a humble family on January 27, 1978.
Uba attended Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA where he studied Political Science, graduating as Second Lieutenant in 2001.
However, on November 14, 2025, Brigadier-General Uba was leading a military mission in Borno state when his convoy was ambushed and attacked by the ISWAP.
However, despite his escape, he was later captured by the ISWAP and eventually killed by the terrorists group on November 15.
Until his death, he was the Brigade commander of the 25 Brigade, Nigerian Army Borno state.
His death was a big blow to the fight against insurgency in the northeast region of the country.
Brigadier-General Dzarma Zirkusu
On November 13, 2021, the Nigerian Army confirmed the death Brigadier-General Dzarma Zirkusu and three others in a recent attack by Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP in the Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday.
However, in a statement signed by the then Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu that Saturday, the Army stated that the troops of Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai were engaged in a fierce gun battle with the terrorists which also led to the death of three other soldiers.
The statement read in part, “A gallant senior officer, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu, and three soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice in a very rare display of gallantry as they provided reinforcement in a counteroffensive against the terrorists and successfully defended the location. The family of the senior officer and soldiers have been contacted.
“The Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya deeply commiserates with the families and relations of the fallen heroes. He has also directed that the troops continue in the ferrocious counter offensive and hot pursuit to eliminate the remnant of the fleeing terrorists.”
Nwachukwu, in the statement, also noted that the military had deployed five A – Jet, two A-29, two Dragon combat with which they destroyed nine-gun trucks and one armoured personnel carrier of the terrorists.
He added that the battle was still on at the time he filed the statement.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that General Dzarma Zirkusu was the Commander 28 Task Force Brigade, Chibok, Borno state before he paid the supreme price.
Col. Dahiru Chiroma Bako
In September 2020, the fight against the insurgency took a heavy toll with the death of Col. Dahiru Chiroma Bako.
It was gathered that the late colonel and his men were said to have been ambushed by suspected terrorists at Wajiroko near Damboa.
Col. Bako sustained heavy injuries in the ambush and died later at a military hospital.
The then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, who gave the citation of late Col. Bako at the Maimalari Military Cemetery, Maiduguri, Borno State, where the officer was buried, described him as a fighter who “gave everything” for the unity and peace of the nation.
He said: “As we mourn and continue to remember him, we are not going to leave his family and children after this moment.
“But the Army is going to take up the scholarship for the children he left behind and will ensure they have a good life even after the demise of their father.”
Colonel Bako served as the Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade under Operation Lafiya Dole in Damboa. Borno State.
Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali
The death of Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali on Friday, 4th November 2016 was a big loss to the Nigeria Army and indeed the country in general.Ali was born on 15th August 1980. He was also a recipient of the Chief of Army Staff Award for exceptional bravery and excellence after he led the army units that recovered Gamboru-Ngala, Baga and several communities from the terrorists and was given accelerated promotion over his peers.
He graduated from Command Secondary School, Jos in 1997 and was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1998. Ali was commissioned into the Nigerian Military in 2003 as an armour officer.
Ali and six other soldiers were killed in an ambush by Boko Haram insurgents in Malam Fatori, Borno State, during an operation to reclaim territory.
He was laid to rest on 7 November 2016, at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.
Lt. Col. Ibrahim Sakaba
In November 2018, Nigeria Army lost about 44 soldiers in Borno state. Lt. Col.Sakaba was one of the 44 soldiers killed by the insurgents suspected to be be Boko Haram during an attack on 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State in November 2018.
A statement released by the then media aide, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, debunked the allegation credited to Mrs Oluwaseun Sakaba, the widow of late Col Ibrahim Sakaba alleged that the late senior officer was assassinated for refusing to loot funds meant for fighting the Boko Haram Insurgency.
However, Nwachukwu said the late senior officer’s widow was quoted to have made several uncomplimentary comments about the institution of the Nigerian Army (NA), making reference to an unfounded and baseless claim devoid of any fact.
In his words, Nwachukwu stated that “While the Nigerian Army is not interested in joining issues with anyone with respect to the enormous sacrifices made daily by our gallant troops, it is however expedient to address the weighty allegations credited to the widow. The Nigerian Army acknowledges the emotional agony associated with loosing loved ones and that cannot be quantified by any unit of measure”
According to him, it would be totally mischief and an assault on the psyche of the fighting troops to begin to insinuate any plot against one of its own.
“And what is the plot here? That troops were led by their commander for an operational engagement is not a plot, as anyone may want to insinuate. Rather, it was a clear military mission with clear objective. It is however disheartening that this gallant officer and some of his men paid the supreme price in the operation and we pray fervently for the repose of their souls.
“Col Sakaba was a respected senior officer who gave his all in the defence of the freedom we all enjoy today. His demise is a great loss to all of us. Insinuating anything contrary is a deservice to our nation and the sacrifices of our troops.”he said
“However now that he has reached the required age, he has been captured for payment of school sponsorship which will commence any moment from now. The Nigerian Army will continue to sponsor the child’s education up to graduation from university, as long as he fulfils the requirements outlined in the rules guiding the scheme.
“The only entitlement owed Mrs Sakaba is the Group Life Assurance which is normally paid by the Insurance Company, and which would soon be received along with that of other deceased personal” Nwachukwu further stated.
Discussion about this post