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How media reports turned a Brigade Commander into a “golden fish” in Sambisa Forest
By: Zagazola Makama
In the chaotic hours following the ISWAP ambush along the Burum–Kubua axis of the Damboa–Biu road, confusion spread rapidly both on the ground and across social media. Shortly after the encounter, the Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. M. Uba, who had tactically maneuvered out of the kill zone with his men, temporarily took cover inside the forest.
From that concealed position, he established communication with the Theatre Commander, confirming his safety and proof of life in a video Watssap call. He also sent his Live location through his Wattssap which prompted ground and Air rescue mission by Air and surface troops of Operation HADIN KAI.
However, before official channels could release accurate information, social media platforms were flooded with sensational claims. Several blogs and influencers falsely reported that ISWAP had abducted a Brigade Commander a narrative that instantly went viral due to its shock value.
What followed was an information wildfire. The more the story spread, the more the terrorists, who initially had no situational awareness about the Commander’s movement, were alerted. Media amplification effectively turned him into the most sought-after “golden fish” in the Sambisa axis, prompting ISWAP cells linked to Ba Shuwa and Abu Qudama to intensify their scramble for a target they never actually had.
This misreporting created an unnecessary operational burden, as troops had to factor in the media-induced pressure while conducting recovery and reorganisation. It also heightened public anxiety and momentarily disrupted the flow of accurate battlefield communication.
At the time of the report, Zagazola dismissed the viral claims as entirely false. Verified accounts confirmed that a video released by the Commander himself confirmed he was alive, unharmed, and fully in control.
Unfortunately, Gen. Uba’s mobile phone became unreachable and he was not found at the Live location he initially provided. The Theartre Commander himself led troops to Azir and remained there for almost 24 hourz searching for the Commander without any trace.
In the end, the Brigade Commander was recaptured while attempting to maneuver his way out of the terrorists infested forest.
This incident illustrated a recurring challenge in conflict reporting: how information can endanger personnel and inadvertently assist hostile groups by providing them with operational clues.
@DHQNigeria@HQNigerianArmy
African Union Commission Reaffirms Commitment to #Nigeria’s Sovereignty, Religious Freedom, and Rule of Law.
The @_AfricanUnion Commission (AUC) reiterates its unwavering commitment to the principles of sovereignty, non-interference, religious freedom, and the rule of law, as enshrined in the African Union Constitutive Act and related instruments.
The Commission notes with concern recent statements by the United States of America alleging that the Government of Nigeria is complicit in the targeted killing of Christians and threatening military action. The AUC emphasizes the following:
1. The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a longstanding and valued Member State of the African Union, playing a key role in regional stability, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping initiatives, and continental integration.
2. The AUC fully respects Nigeria’s sovereign right to manage its internal affairs, including security, religious freedom, and human rights, in line with its Constitution and international obligations. Any external engagement must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.
3. The Commission supports Nigeria’s repeated affirmation that its Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and belief and that the Government rejects all forms of religious persecution.
4. Nigeria faces complex security challenges affecting citizens of all faiths, including violent extremist groups, banditry, communal violence, and resource-based conflicts. The AUC calls for regional, and international cooperation to support Nigeria and other African countries, in strengthening capacity to respond to insecurity, protect all citizens, uphold human rights, and bring perpetrators of violence to justice.
The AUC remains ready to provide support through its peace and security architecture, capacity-building programs, and strategic partnerships.
5. The AUC rejects any narrative that weaponizes religion or oversimplifies security challenges. Conflating all violence with a single religious-target narrative may hinder effective solutions and destabilize communities.
6. AUC urges external partners, including the United States, to engage Nigeria through diplomatic dialogue, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building partnerships, while respecting Nigerian sovereignty rather than resorting to unilateral threats of military intervention, which could undermine continental peace, regional stability, and AU norms for peaceful conflict management.
The African Union Commission remains committed to supporting Member States in promoting peace, security, human rights, and development, while upholding sovereignty and non-interference.
Read @ https://t.co/vYy0CdjLQg
KIRK GETS KILLED. THE NATION MOURNS. THEY CALL HIM A MARTYR. THEN, LIKE CLOCKWORK, TRUMP STEPS OUT TALKING ABOUT “CHRISTIANS UNDER ATTACK IN NIGERIA.” HE LABELS IT A “COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN.”
NIGERIA JUST HAPPENS TO BE RICH IN OIL, GAS, AND RARE MINERALS, THE SAME RESOURCES CHINA’S BEEN LOCKING DOWN THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE DEALS. NOW THE U.S. SAYS “WE MUST PROTECT CHRISTIANS THERE.” THAT’S CODE FOR “WE’RE MOVING IN.”
ISRAEL BENEFITS TOO. THE MORE THE U.S. FRAMES EVERY CONFLICT AS “RADICAL ISLAM VS THE WEST,” THE MORE ISRAEL’S WAR NARRATIVE BECOMES GLOBAL POLICY. TRUMP’S STATEMENT ISN’T RANDOM, IT’S STRATEGY. IT’S HOW YOU TURN GRIEF INTO GEOPOLITICS.
SO ASK YOURSELF, DID TRUMP FIND A NEW CAUSE… OR WAS HE HANDED ONE? WHEN FAITH BECOMES FOREIGN POLICY, SOMEONE’S WRITING THE SCRIPT, AND IT AIN’T GOD.
@JDVance The war should be against terrorism, not this Muslim vs Christians ongoing debate. Both sides have suffered losses as a result of insecurity. Don't make it a one-sided situation.
@JDVance I am a Nigerian Christian, help us deal with insecurity, not Christian killings. You divide us more if you focus only on one religion. The Ethno religion and tribal formation nature of Nigeria is not the same as that of the US.