Suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have reportedly ambushed a Nigerian military convoy in northeastern Nigeria, specifically in Borno State, leading to the deaths of several soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). The coordinated strike, which occurred late Friday night, targeted the convoy with armed and highly organised insurgents, leaving a trail of casualties and generating panic in the region.

In an unprecedented and deeply concerning development, the insurgents reportedly abducted a serving Brigade Commander along with other military personnel during the ambush. HumAngle, a news platform focusing on conflict and humanitarian crises, reported this incident, highlighting that if confirmed, this would mark the first recorded instance of any extremist group in Nigeria successfully capturing a serving General directly from the frontline. While insurgents have previously killed high-ranking military officers, the abduction of such an officer is a rare occurrence.

As of the time of reporting, the Nigerian Army has not yet released an official statement on the attack, nor have military authorities confirmed the fate of the abducted officer or provided clear casualty figures. The spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Onyechi Anele, has reportedly not responded to inquiries regarding the matter. PREMIUM TIMES is actively tracking the situation and awaiting further updates.

This renewed wave of terrorist activity has drawn strong condemnation from political figures. Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South under the All Progressives Congress (APC), recently described the escalating security situation in parts of his constituency as “deeply worrisome” and unacceptable. In a statement, Senator Ndume lamented that four farmers were brutally murdered by Boko Haram insurgents while working on their farmlands in Kwam village, near the Dille community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area. He emphasized that these killings were not isolated incidents, noting an intensification of assaults across multiple communities.

Senator Ndume further highlighted recent attacks, including the burning of a church and other infrastructures in Pemi, and reports of a Boko Haram invasion in the Shikarkir community of Chibok local government area in Borno State. These incidents, he stated, underscore the deteriorating security situation in remote communities that remain vulnerable despite years of ongoing military operations in the region.