The nation’s military appeared to have been caught in an embarrassing cover up after it emerged that a top officer that they claimed survived an ambush by the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) was actually captured and killed by the terrorists. He was the most senior military officer to be killed in active duty in the country in more than two decades. 

On 14 November 2025, ISWAP staged a deadly attack against the military and vigilante groups. The terrorists ambushed a military convoy killing several soldiers and abducting Brigadier General Musa Uba who was leading the troops, according to initial reports. 

However, a statement by the military on 16 November 2025 dismissed the reports that Uba was abducted. While the military admitted that there was an ambush on a convoy in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, it claimed that Uba and his troops were able to fight their way through the ambush and return to base but admitted that they lost two soldiers and two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the attack. 

The government’s lies soon became apparent when ISWAP released a video showing that more than two soldiers may have been killed. Furthermore, reports state that Uba initially escaped capture and was communicating his location to the military. However, for some unexplained reason, ISWAP terrorists found Uba before the army could rescue him. The video shows ISWAP terrorists captured, interrogated then executed him.

The army is yet to release a statement on the killing. However, the presidency has offered its condolences to Uba’s family while Tinubu personally said the killing had depressed him.

The attacks have resurrected the persistent suspicion that the terrorists have insiders in the military and local communities who provide them with information on troop movements. Even more worrying is that the terrorists were able to kidnap and murder Uba before the military could extract him. 

Attacks have resurrected suspicions that the terrorists have military insiders

This has raised suspicion that someone may have shared his position to the terrorists, while further questions have been raised about the army’s response time. The army also appeared not to have been able to arrange proper air cover. The killing is a huge symbolic blow to the military and has the potential to demoralise troops fighting on the frontline. If the army cannot rescue a General, the chances of providing proper support and backing to lower ranking officers appear slim. 

On 20 November 2025, ISWAP claimed another attack on troop positions in Marte local government area of Borno State, where 15 soldiers and vigilantes were killed. The military is yet to confirm or deny the claim. This latest attack highlights a sudden deterioration the security situation, which appears to coincide with the appointment of new heads of the military by Tinubu on 24 October 2025. 

The terrorists appear to have acquired a newfound strength to attack. Earlier, on 13 November 2025, suspected terrorists staged another ambush on vigilantes in a forest in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State in the central part of the country, where 13 vigilantes were reportedly killed. The vigilantes themselves were on a search and rescue mission to locate 15 people abducted by the terrorists. 

More recently, the terrorists have targeted vigilantes who are less sophisticatedly armed than the terrorists, bandits and terrorists. The renewed attacks risks creating tensions and anxiety in the military especially with new men in charge who are out to prove to the president that their appointment was not a mistake. Their desire to impress the president raises the risks that they will make more mistakes that could cost the lives of their men and lead to a further deterioration in the situation. 

The November 2025 issue of Nigeria Focus also includes the following:

Spotlight

• Wike’s meddling threatens Nigerian democracy 
• Implications

Politics

• Troubled PDP looks to a court’s decision for its survival 

Economy

• New capital gains tax could damage stock market 
• Debt grows despite government revenue rising  

Energy

• Tinubu shelves ‘Dangote tax’ for now 
• Dangote moves to dominate nation’s oil 
• Government ready to sell nation’s refineries 
• Numbers
• New oil licensing round 
• Oil assets sale back on the cards

Security

• Killing of top army officer raise questions for the army
• Tinubu under pressure after mass abductions of students