Brigadier-General Narrowly Escapes ISWAP Ambush in Borno, Returns to Base on Foot After Hours Missing
At Least Four Security Personnel, two soldiers, and two CJTF Operatives were killed in ISWAP Ambush, according to the Military.
Abuja, Nigeria – November 15, 2025
In a dramatic turn of events that underscores both the dangerous failure of the military and the evolving boldness of terrorist groups ravaging Nigeria, a Nigerian Army Brigadier-General narrowly escaped death after his convoy was ambushed by terrorists of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) along the Biu-Damboa Road in Borno State.
The senior officer, whose name military authorities did not immediately disclose, was declared missing for several hours following the ambush, which occurred near Sabon Gari in Damboa Local Government Area.
The attack targeted a mixed Military-Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) convoy, leaving at least two soldiers and two CJTF operatives dead, according to the spokesperson of the Nigerian army, despite conflicting information on the number of casualties.
Several motorcycles were also reportedly carted away by the terrorists during the assault.
According to field sources, the convoy came under heavy and sustained gunfire as it advanced through the notoriously volatile stretch of road.
The General’s whereabouts remained unknown for a significant period, fuelling speculation that he may have been captured. The atmosphere within the command was said to have been tense, as troops combed nearby bushes in an attempt to locate him.
However, in a surprising and relieving development, the Brigadier-General reappeared at the military base on foot, exhausted but alive, hours after the attack.
Multiple security sources described his return as “a narrow escape,” noting that the ambush was one of the most coordinated ISWAP operations in recent months.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over terrorists’ increasing sophistication and their expanding reach across strategic corridors in Borno and other corners of the country.
In recent weeks, the group has launched targeted ambushes on military convoys, checkpoints, and humanitarian escorts, seeking to reassert dominance in the region.
There are also rising internal frustrations within the military over the infiltration of operational intelligence by “repentant” Boko Haram elements integrated into deradicalisation programmes, an issue soldiers say may be contributing to ambush precision and troop vulnerability.
“The symbolism here is powerful,” said a defence analyst following the incident.
“If a General can be targeted in this manner, it sends a message that insurgents are both watching closely and willing to take bigger risks. It’s a wake-up.”
While the Army maintains its posture of confidence, the ambush has sparked renewed debate about the true state of the terrorism and the inadequacy of the Nigerian government’s response.
For communities in different corners of the country who rely on the military for protection, the incident is a stark reminder of the persistent failure of the military in securing the lives of Nigerians.
