Despite many years of military fighting, Boko Haram and ISWAP still remain a major danger in Nigeria’s northeast. They continue to attack soldiers, including senior officers on the frontline.

Fresh reports emerged on Tuesday confirming that fighters from the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have killed Brigadier General Musa Uba in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

The incident has renewed public concern over how jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to inflict heavy losses on the Nigerian military, particularly among senior officers, even after more than a decade of counter-insurgency operations.

General Uba is the second-highest-ranking officer to be killed by insurgents since 2021.

According to ISWAP’s announcement via its Telegram channel, the general was captured on 15 November during an ambush on Nigerian troops near Wajiroko, Borno State. The Nigerian Army later confirmed the attack, stating that two soldiers and two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force were also killed.

President Bola Tinubu extended condolences to the family of General Uba and to the families of the other soldiers who lost their lives.

This report highlights the senior Nigerian military officers who have been killed in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP since 2018.

Brigadier General Musa Uba

Brigadier General Musa Uba was the Commander of the 25 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.

He is now the highest-ranking Nigerian officer to be killed in combat operations since 2021. His death occurred during a period of heightened attacks by jihadist groups in Borno State. This region has endured years of insecurity and remains one of the insurgency’s major strongholds.

Communities in Gudumbali, Marte, and Abadam Local Government Areas have remained under intermittent control of insurgent factions for nearly six years. Early this year, insurgents also attacked farmers and fishermen in Dumba, further underscoring the insecurity still gripping the region.

Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu

Before General Uba, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu was the highest-ranking officer killed in 2021.

General Zirkusu died alongside three soldiers when ISWAP fighters—who had recently broken away from Boko Haram, ambushed troops in Askira Uba, Borno State, in November 2021.

The general, originally from Adamawa State, had taken command of the 28 Task Force Brigade in Chibok earlier that year. The Nigerian Army reported at the time that troops repelled the attack, killing multiple insurgents and recovering weapons.

Colonel Dahiru Chiroma Bako

Colonel Dahiru Bako was killed in September 2020 after Boko Haram fighters ambushed his convoy near Wajiroko, the same area where General Uba was later killed.

He succumbed to his injuries following surgery at the 7 Division Military Hospital.

Colonel Bako served as the Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade under Operation Lafiya Dole in Damboa. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum described him as a “gallant officer who ensured Boko Haram never overran Damboa.”

Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali

Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali died in November 2016, one year after his promotion from Major.

He was widely celebrated as one of the most courageous Nigerian officers in the fight against Boko Haram, leading the 272 Tank Battalion with distinction. His unit played a significant role in the recapture of Baga town in February 2015—a major turning point in the war.

He was killed when Boko Haram fighters attacked the Nigerian Army’s 119 Battalion in Mallam Fatori, Borno State. Reports from the time indicated that he was shot while coordinating operations in low visibility.

Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Sakaba

Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Sakaba was killed in November 2018 during an attack on a military base in northern Borno. The assault, blamed on heavily armed insurgents, resulted in significant military casualties.

Before his death, Lt. Col. Sakaba commanded the 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele—a location that has witnessed repeated attacks over the years.

In August 2021, the Nigerian Army refuted allegations made by his widow claiming that fellow soldiers had conspired in his killing, maintaining that he died honourably in combat.