A fresh wave of insecurity swept through the North-East on Friday after fighters believed to be linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province launched a deadly ambush on a Nigerian Army convoy, leaving several personnel dead and a senior officer reportedly kidnapped.
Field reports from security sources indicated that the insurgents, operating with precision and heavy firepower, targeted the convoy along a volatile route in Borno State, overwhelming troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force who were escorting the movement. The attackers were said to have opened sustained fire, forcing the convoy into disarray before seizing a serving Brigade Commander and other personnel.
If verified, the abduction would be the first time a frontline General has been captured by insurgents in the history of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations — a development analysts describe as both alarming and strategically consequential.
The Army had yet to issue an official statement as at press time, fuelling heightened concern among residents and stakeholders across the region. Troops have reportedly launched a search-and-rescue operation, though details remain closely guarded.
The incident comes amid renewed fears of rising extremist activities. Only days earlier, Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, raised the alarm over what he described as an unsettling spike in attacks across rural communities. He lamented the killing of four farmers in Kwam village, near Dille in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, warning that the resurgence signalled a troubling reversal of recent gains.
