Borno State, Nigeria — November 15, 2025 — Terrorists believed to be from the Islamic State–affiliated ISWAP faction launched a coordinated ambush on a Nigerian Army convoy late Friday in Borno State, killing several soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and reportedly abducting a senior officer.
According to Sahara Reporters, the insurgents attacked the mixed military–CJTF convoy while it was on the move, using heavy fire to overwhelm the troops. Multiple casualties occurred in the ambush, though the exact number of dead and wounded has not been independently confirmed. In a development that has raised serious concerns, the attackers are said to have abducted a serving Brigade Commander, described in some reports as a brigadier‑general. If verified, this would be a rare and alarming escalation — capturing a general directly from a frontline convoy would mark a significant propaganda and tactical victory for the militants.
The Nigerian Army, for its part, has not yet issued an official statement confirming the abduction or the full scale of its losses. The attack comes amid ongoing insecurity along key routes in Borno, with previous assaults reported in recent weeks. Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, condemned the surge in attacks in his constituency, calling the violence “deeply worrisome” and highlighting the vulnerability of remote communities. He also referenced other recent killings in rural Borno, noting that insecurity continues to pose existential threats to residents and security personnel alike. Security analysts warn that the ambush underscores a growing sophistication in ISWAP’s tactics — blending guerrilla-style attacks with targeted operations against high-value military personnel.
Without a detailed response from the army, questions are mounting about its capacity to protect senior officers and maintain control over volatile territories.