In a poignant display of solidarity and national grief, the Honourable Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), made a heartfelt condolence visit earlier today to the family of the late Brigadier General B. M. Uba, a decorated military commander whose life was cut short in a brutal ambush by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters while valiantly defending Nigeria’s northeast frontier.
The visit, held at the family’s residence amid an atmosphere thick with sorrow, underscored the profound personal toll of the nation’s protracted battle against insurgency. Gen. Uba, who commanded the 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, fell on November 15, 2025, during a fierce engagement at Wajiroko village—a hotspot of ISWAP ambushes that claimed his life alongside several troops.
His death, confirmed after a daring but ultimately tragic rescue operation, sent shockwaves through the armed forces and ignited public outrage over the insurgents’ escalating audacity.
Gen. Musa, himself a battle-hardened veteran and recent appointee to the defence portfolio, arrived with a high-level delegation, bearing words of comfort and the weight of governmental resolve.
“We are deeply sorrowed by this irreplaceable loss,” the Minister conveyed, his voice laced with emotion as he embraced grieving family members.
He hailed Brig. Gen. Uba as “a gallant officer whose ultimate sacrifice embodies the highest ideals of patriotism and selfless service to our dear nation.”
In a stirring tribute, Musa recounted Uba’s storied career, from leading decisive victories against Boko Haram enclaves to mentoring young officers, emphasizing how such heroes form the unbreakable spine of Nigeria’s security architecture.
Assuring the bereaved kin—Uba’s widow, children, and siblings—that they stand not alone in their anguish, Gen. Musa pledged unwavering federal support.
“The Federal Government stands firmly with you in this difficult period and remains committed to the welfare of families of our fallen heroes,” he affirmed, outlining immediate aid packages including educational scholarships for Uba’s children and ongoing financial stipends.
Reaffirming the armed forces’ unyielding determination, Gen. Musa vowed to amplify counterterrorism offensives in the Lake Chad Basin.
“We will honour Brig. Gen. Uba’s legacy by redoubling our efforts to eradicate these threats and ensure his valiant contributions to safeguarding Nigeria do not go in vain,” he declared, hinting at forthcoming troop surges and enhanced intelligence-sharing with regional allies like the Multinational Joint Task Force.
Family members, though reticent in public statements, reportedly expressed gratitude for the Minister’s presence, with Uba’s younger brother, Yahaya Uba, later posting on social media: “In our darkest hour, the nation’s leadership has shown true compassion.
My brother’s spirit lives on in the fight he championed.”