President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba, who was killed while on active duty during an operation against insurgents in Borno State. According to reports, Uba died after Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters ambushed a convoy transporting soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the senior officer and others who were killed in the attack. He extended condolences to their families and to the Nigerian military.
Tinubu also addressed the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) Maga in Danko/Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State, noting that the kidnapping occurred despite prior “intelligence warnings” about an impending bandit attack.
The president commended the efforts of Kebbi State Governor Mohammed Idris, saying the state government made attempts to avert the incident. He directed Vice-President Kashim Shettima to travel to Kebbi to meet with state authorities, parents, and guardians of the abducted students, assuring them that the federal government is committed to securing the girls’ swift release.
Decrying the security breach that enabled the abduction, Tinubu urged communities, especially those in vulnerable areas, to provide timely information to security agencies. He stressed that intelligence-sharing with the military, police, and the Department of State Services (DSS) is essential to preventing further attacks.
“As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes,” Tinubu said.
“It is heartbreaking that terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls. I have directed security agencies to act swiftly to bring the girls back to Kebbi State.”
The president appealed to community leaders and residents in conflict-prone regions to support ongoing security operations with credible information, emphasising that “Your cooperation is crucial in our fight against these security challenges.”
