ABUJA, Nigeria — 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, describing the loss as a painful blow to Nigeria’s armed forces.
Uba was reportedly killed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters following an ambush on a convoy of soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the northeastern state, where military operations against extremist groups have intensified in recent months.
In a statement on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu expressed “deep sorrow” over the deaths of the general and other personnel and extended condolences to their families and the military establishment.
“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.
The president also addressed the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, located in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The gunmen killed Hassan Yakubu Makuku, the school’s vice-principal, in the attack before fleeing with the pupils towards the border with Zamfara State.
Tinubu noted that the kidnapping occurred despite intelligence warnings that bandits were planning an assault on the area.
He commended Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris for efforts made to forestall the attack and directed Vice-President Kashim Shettima to travel to Kebbi to meet the state government and reassure families that the federal government is committed to securing the girls’ swift and safe return.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The president also urged communities across Nigeria, particularly those in regions struggling with insecurity, to provide timely intelligence to the military, police and Department of State Services.
He stressed that security agencies rely heavily on cooperation from local populations in order to effectively counter armed groups.
“Your cooperation is crucial in our fight against these security challenges,” he said.
