Bring back Gen Uba, dead or alive — Ndume tells military

Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to locate Brigadier General Musa Uba, the Commander of the 25 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, who was reportedly captured during an ambush by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants.

In a statement on Thursday, Ndume also urged authorities to expedite rescue efforts for the 25 schoolgirls abducted on Sunday from Government Girls Comprehensive School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

Brigadier General Uba was ambushed on Friday during a convoy operation near Wajiroko village. ISWAP, in an unverified video released on Monday, claimed it had executed him and other soldiers.

The Nigerian Army initially dismissed the claims, but President Bola Tinubu, in a statement on Wednesday, confirmed the commander’s death, describing him as one of the “brave soldiers who fell in Borno.”

Ndume, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, said the escalating insecurity in the North-West and North-East—characterized by terrorism, banditry, and mass abductions—requires immediate, coordinated action.

“I am compelled to issue this statement concerning the abduction and whereabouts of Brigadier General Musa Uba and the 25 female students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga,” he said.

“Let the government and our security agencies act quickly to bring back the Brigade Commander, dead or alive.

“I also call on authorities to intensify efforts to safely rescue all the abducted schoolgirls.

“Bringing them back will help ease the trauma faced by their families and Nigerians in general.”

The senator praised the sacrifices of security personnel nationwide and prayed for divine support for ongoing federal and state initiatives to combat terrorism, kidnappings and banditry.