ABUJA — The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has stated that the military is yet to confirm the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba, clarifying that the officer remains officially classified as “Missing in Action” (MIA).
Speaking during a live interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on February 1, 2026, the Minister revealed that the lack of a recovered body has prevented the military from declaring the General “Killed in Action” (KIA).
Lack of Forensic Evidence
Brigadier General Uba, the Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade, was reportedly captured by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters during a late 2025 ambush on the Damboa-Biu road in Borno State. While insurgent propaganda had previously suggested the officer was executed, the Defence Minister noted that the terrorists’ usual patterns have not been observed in this case.
“We are not sure that he is dead, because we have not seen any corpse yet,” General Musa explained. “Normally, what they [ISWAP] do when they shoot is they leave the body for you to recover. So he is classified as missing in action, not killed in action yet.”
Rumours of Survival
The Minister disclosed that the military is currently investigating reports and “rumours” suggesting that the high-ranking officer might still be in captivity. He emphasised that the Armed Forces are remaining hopeful and continue to exhaust all intelligence channels to secure his safe return.
“We heard rumours that he is still alive, and we are hopeful that he is,” the Minister added, stressing that rescue efforts have not been abandoned.
Ambush Under Investigation
The circumstances surrounding the General’s disappearance remain a subject of intense scrutiny within the military command. General Uba was reportedly separated from his troops during a fierce encounter with terrorists. While early reports indicated he was in contact with his base via mobile phone after the ambush, he was eventually apprehended by the insurgents.
The Defence Minister’s latest statement provides a significant update to a case that has gripped the nation’s security establishment for months, offering a glimmer of hope to the officer’s family and colleagues.
