Fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Friday night ambushed a Nigerian military convoy in Borno State, abducting a serving general and killing several soldiers including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), as per HumAngle report.
The general reportedly kidnapped is a brigade commander and was said to be leading the troops.
If confirmed, the news platform, which specifically focuses on conflict and humanitarian crises, says “this would be the first recorded instance of any extremist group in Nigeria capturing a serving General directly from the frontline.”
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Although insurgents have killed high ranking military officers, news about abduction of such officers are rare.
Military authorities have not yet issued a statement on the incident, and details of casualty figures remain unclear.
Meanwhile, reports reaching our news desk indicate that the commanding officer later returned to his base on foot.
It was further gathered that the terrorists, lying in wait along the convoy route, opened fire on a mixed convoy of soldiers and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members.
However, the attack left two soldiers and two CJTF operatives dead.
HumAngle reports that a member of the CJTF based in Nzula, near the site of the attack, reported that the convoy was heading toward Bongry when it was ambushed. “It was on the Biu Road,” he said, requesting anonymity for safety reasons.
A security source was quoted as saying, “The convoy consisted of the military and members of the CJTF.”
A resident of Damboa, familiar with the convoy’s movements, reported that it left the town around 2pm, comprising two Hilux vehicles, two armoured personnel carriers, and several motorcycles.
“The terrorists killed two soldiers and two CJTF,” he said. “They also took away some motorcycles. Reinforcement later left Damboa – two Hilux and two armoured vehicles – when the incident happened.”
The most alarming aspect of the incident, however, is the temporary disappearance of a Brigade Commander who was part of the operation.
A senior CJTF member in Damboa, who witnessed the convoy’s departure, confirmed the situation. “We don’t know where he is at the moment. But he responds to WhatsApp messages.”
The Commander later returned on foot after being missing for several hours, in what is being described as a narrow escape from the attackers.
This marks the first time since the launch of Nigeria’s counterinsurgency campaign that a serving General directly involved on the frontline has gone missing, even briefly, during an ambush.
The incident raises serious concerns about the growing sophistication of ISWAP attacks and the increasing dangers faced by senior officers deployed to volatile regions.
Sources: HumAngle, Sahara Reporters, Premium Times
