A Nigerian Army brigadier‑general narrowly escaped death after going missing for several hours during an ambush by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters near Sabon Gari in Damboa Local Government Area, military and local sources said. The officer later returned to base on foot.
The attack occurred as a mixed convoy of soldiers and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members was travelling on the Biu Road toward Bongry. According to a CJTF member who spoke to HumAngle, the convoy left Damboa at about 2pm and comprised two Toyota Hilux pickups, two armoured personnel carriers and several motorcycles.
Terrorists lying in wait opened fire on the convoy, killing two soldiers and two CJTF operatives, witnesses and residents said. Some motorcycles were also taken by the attackers. Reinforcements reportedly left Damboa — two Hilux and two armoured vehicles — after the ambush.
A security source confirmed the convoy included both military personnel and CJTF members. A senior CJTF figure in Damboa, who saw the convoy depart, said the brigade commander went missing for several hours but was in communication via WhatsApp and later returned on foot.
Observers noted this is the first time since the start of Nigeria’s counterinsurgency campaign that a serving general directly engaged on the frontline has briefly disappeared during an ambush. The incident has prompted concern about the growing sophistication of ISWAP attacks and the risks faced by senior officers deployed to volatile areas.
Residents of Damboa and surrounding communities said the ambush underlines persistent insecurity along major routes despite years of military presence, with recent months seeing repeated attacks on patrols, rural roads and farming settlements.
