1- BRIGADIER GENERAL MUSA UBA
On Tuesday, reports began to emerge that fighters from the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) had killed Brigadier General Musa Uba in Borno state, northeastern Nigeria.
His killing has sparked debate about how jihadist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP are able to kill senior Nigerian army officers, even though he is not the first to die in the field.
Details indicate that General Uba was the second highest-ranking officer killed by the insurgents since 2021.
ISWAP announced his killing on its Telegram channel, stating that its fighters captured him on November 15th following an ambush on Nigerian troops near the town of Wajiroko in Borno state.
The Nigerian army confirmed the attack, stating that two of its soldiers and two vigilante members were killed. President Bola Tinubu conveyed his condolences to the family of General Uba and the other troops.
Borno is one of the Nigerian states most affected by attacks from jihadist groups, with Boko Haram and other groups controlling some areas.
In mid-January, some Boko Haram or ISWAP fighters also attacked some farmers and fishermen in the town of Dumba in northeastern Borno state.
Most residents of the local government areas of Gudumbari, Marte, and Abadam have been living under the control of the insurgents for nearly six years.
2- BRIGADIER GENERAL DZARMA ZIRKUSU
Since the start of the Boko Haram war in 2009, Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu was the highest-ranking Nigerian army officer to first lose his life in 2021.
The general died along with three other soldiers when ISWAP fighters, which split from Boko Haram, ambushed them in the town of Askira Uba in November 2021.
The general, who was from Adamawa state, had become the commander of the 28 Task Force Brigade in Chibok town in January of that year.
A statement released by the Nigerian army at the time said it had successfully killed several insurgents and recovered numerous weapons while repelling the attack on them.
3- COLONEL DAHIRU CHIROMA BAKO
In September 2020, Boko Haram fighters ambushed Colonel Dahiru Chiroma Bako on the outskirts of Wajiroko town, and he died from injuries sustained in the attack.
Reports said he underwent surgery at the 7 Division Military Hospital before his death.
He was the commander of the 25 Taskforce Sub-unit of Operation Lafiya Dole in Damboa.
Borno Governor Babagana Zulum described Colonel Bako as a "courageous soldier under whose leadership the town of Damboa was never defeated in battle."
4- COLONEL ABU ALI
Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali was killed in November 2016, a year after being promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel.
Colonel Ali saved hundreds of his fellow soldiers due to the bravery he showed in the fight against Boko Haram while leading the 272 Task Force responsible for armored tanks.
His unit was involved in one of the fiercest battles with Boko Haram in February 2015, which led to the recapture of the town of Baga from the group.
The news of his death became the most talked-about topic among Nigerian social media users at the time.
He died when Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Nigerian army's 119 Battalion in Mallam Fatori, Borno state.
"He was near his tank, holding his radio. But because it was dark, no one saw the sniper who shot him," as a military hospital source testified to TheCable newspaper at the time.
5- LIEUTENANT COLONEL IBRAHIM SAKABA
Another brave soldier lost by Nigeria was Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Sakaba in November 2018.
Colonel Sakaba died during an attack by insurgents on an army base in northern Borno, where they killed a company of Nigerian troops.
Before his death, he was the commander of the 157 Task Force Sub-unit in Metele.
A statement released by the Nigerian army in August 2021 denied claims made by the soldier's wife that his fellow soldiers killed him because he refused to collaborate in corruption.