Brigadier General Musa Uba biography has become a major topic nationwide after the senior military officer was tragically killed by ISWAP terrorists in Borno State. He served as the Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade and was known for his courage, discipline, and leadership in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency.
Early Life & Education Brigadier General Musa Uba Biography
Brigadier General Musa Uba was born on 27 January 1978. He grew up in Makurdi, Benue State, where he completed his early education before joining the Nigerian Defence Academy.
He was a member of the 48 Regular Course and studied Political Science at NDA.
Military Training at the Nigerian Defence Academy
Uba was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1996 and graduated in 2001 as a Second Lieutenant, commissioned into the Infantry Corps.
His strong academic performance and discipline quickly set him apart as a promising officer.
Military Career & Promotions
After graduating from NDA, he was first posted to a battalion in Jaji, Kaduna State.
He later:
- Served under a United Nations military contingent
- Worked as a staff officer at the Nigerian Defence Academy
- Commanded the 177 Battalion in Keffi, Nasarawa State as a Lieutenant Colonel
His dedication earned him continuous promotions:
- Promoted to Brigadier General in October 2024
- Expected to become Major General by 2028, according to military insiders
His colleagues described him as:
- Jovial
- Calm and composed
- Highly observant
- Deeply caring about soldiers’ welfare
Posting to 25 Task Force Brigade
Around late 2023, General Uba was appointed Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade, a critical military formation in the Borno war theatre.
He was posted there based on strong recommendations, and ISWAP had reportedly marked him as a major target due to his effectiveness in leading offensive operations.
How Brigadier General Musa Uba Was Killed
On 14 November 2024, troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade and CJTF operatives were ambushed by ISWAP terrorists along the Damboa–Wajiroko road in Borno.
The attack:
- Claimed the lives of two soldiers
- Killed two CJTF members
- Resulted in the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba
Initially, he survived the ambush and was in contact with military headquarters through a WhatsApp video call, confirming he was alive.
The route he followed was extremely dangerous — surrounded by two ISWAP-controlled forests, and a destroyed bridge forced the troops onto footpaths and motorcycles.
Conflicting Reports
Different reports provide several possibilities:
- Some officers believe ISWAP captured him during the ambush.
- Others think the terrorists rushed his location after seeing the video.
- Another theory suggests the video spread too widely and compromised him.
According to a Reuters report, he was captured and executed after the initial clash.
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Most Senior Military Officer Killed Since 2021
His death is the highest-ranking military casualty since Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkushi was killed by ISWAP in November 2021.
Reactions from Atiku, Shehu Sani, and Nigerians
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the incident as “deeply disturbing” and criticized what he called failures in leadership and intelligence.
Former senator Shehu Sani called him:
“A brave and gallant soldier whose sacrifice must never be forgotten.”
They both demanded transparency from military authorities.
Legacy & Impact
General Musa Uba is remembered as:
- A courageous commander
- A dedicated infantry officer
- A leader who always put his troops first
- A man committed to restoring peace in Nigeria
His death has renewed national discussions about:
- Military intelligence failures
- Troop protection
- Insurgent mobility in Borno
- The safety of frontline commanders
More details were first reported by The Guardian.
