On the morning of December 8, 2025, the air in Damboa, nestled at the edge of Sambisa Forest in Borno State, was thick with both tension and resolve. Governor Babagana Zulum arrived at a front-line military base, his presence a rare but welcome gesture of solidarity for the officers and soldiers entrenched in the fight against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents. The visit came just weeks after a devastating blow: the ambush and killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba, commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade, by ISWAP militants. For the troops, the loss was not just a strategic setback—it was deeply personal.
Addressing the assembled soldiers, Zulum’s words resonated with empathy and determination. "On behalf of the government and good people of Borno, we are here in Damboa purposely to commiserate with you over the recent setback which claimed the lives of some of your colleagues. It is an unfortunate event, and I want to extend my condolences to you and the families of all the officers and men of this brigade who lost their lives while discharging their duties. We pray Almighty Allah to heal those injured in action as soon as possible," he said, according to reporting from local outlets. He didn’t stop at condolences, pledging continued support: “I assure you that we will do everything possible within the resources available to us to support your mission and vision to end the crisis.”
This visit was just one stop on Zulum’s tour of southern Borno, where he also met with grieving families in Chibok, a community still haunted by past traumas and fresh wounds from recent attacks. In Chibok, Zulum offered not only words of comfort but concrete assistance—announcing financial relief of 1 million naira to bereaved families and 500,000 naira to those whose properties had been destroyed. "We will take action. Please be patient. Our thoughts are with you, and one thing that made me happy is how you have remained calm and stayed in your communities despite everything," he told the gathered residents, as reported by local media.
While Borno’s people mourned and regrouped, across the country in Sokoto State, the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division was waging its own battle. On December 7, 2025, at about 6:45 a.m., troops launched a precision ambush in Kurawa Village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area, acting on credible intelligence about terrorist movements. The operation, part of the ongoing Operation FANSAN YAMMA, was swift and decisive: 11 terrorists were eliminated and eight AK-47 rifles recovered. According to PRNigeria, security sources described the ambush as “swift, surgical, and professionally executed.” It was a much-needed win in a region that has been battered by violence, and a testament to the growing role of intelligence-led operations in Nigeria’s security strategy.
But these victories are hard-won and, all too often, fleeting. The recent killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba laid bare the persistent challenges facing Nigeria’s security apparatus. Uba, one of the nation’s highest-ranking officers, was ambushed on November 14, 2025, while leading a patrol with his troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in the ISWAP-dominated area of Damboa. After a fierce firefight that left two soldiers and two civilian task force members dead, Uba became separated from his men. Alone in hostile territory, he attempted to coordinate his rescue via WhatsApp, but despite the deployment of a helicopter, he could not be located. Three days later, ISWAP announced through its Amaq media outlet that it had captured and killed him.
As The Conversation detailed, Uba’s death was a rare and demoralizing event for the Nigerian military. The circumstances of his capture and killing highlighted two troubling realities: ISWAP’s growing technological sophistication, including the use of drones for surveillance and attacks, and persistent weaknesses in Nigeria’s own military communication and coordination. Despite a hefty allocation of 6.57 trillion naira (about US$4.5 billion) in the 2025 budget for security and defence—roughly 12.45% of the national budget—questions remain about whether these resources are being used effectively to equip troops for modern warfare.
The fallout from Uba’s death also fueled public skepticism about the government’s ability to tackle insurgency and insecurity. As The Guardian noted, many Nigerians have lost faith in official assurances. The recent appointment of Christopher Musa, a seasoned general with nearly four decades in the Nigerian Army, as the new Minister of Defence, has drawn mixed reactions. Musa, who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025 and led major counterterrorism operations like Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East, is seen by some as a beacon of hope. Others, however, question whether his tenure will yield real change.
"Nigerians have shown me love, and I assure them that I will work, whatever it takes, to ensure that Nigeria is secured. Within the shortest possible time, Nigerians will see results," Musa pledged during his onboarding, as quoted by The Guardian. He has promised a full-scale investigation into the troop withdrawals that preceded the Kebbi school attack and the killing of Brigadier General Uba. He has also vowed to overhaul the defence system, improve inter-agency collaboration, and harness tech-driven intelligence—recognizing that the war against terror is as much about information and innovation as it is about boots on the ground.
The stakes are high. Since the onset of the insurgency, terrorists have killed over 100,000 Nigerians and displaced more than two million. Recent attacks have been especially brutal: in December alone, 26 schoolgirls were abducted in Kebbi State, and over 300 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were kidnapped in Niger State. While some of the victims have since regained their freedom or escaped, hundreds remain in captivity, and the trauma reverberates through communities and classrooms alike.
For Musa and his colleagues in the Federal Executive Council, the task ahead is daunting. They must not only address immediate threats but also root out long-standing issues—corruption, poor coordination, and outdated technology—that have hamstrung Nigeria’s security forces. Musa’s call for a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and banditry, and his emphasis on learning from countries that have successfully combated insurgencies, signal a willingness to break with the past. Yet, as many observers have noted, promises alone are not enough. Success will depend on whether the government can translate rhetoric into results, and whether the military can adapt to an enemy that is increasingly agile, well-armed, and technologically savvy.
Still, amid the uncertainty and grief, moments of resilience shine through. Governor Zulum’s support for the troops and the people of Borno, the army’s recent tactical successes in Sokoto, and the determination of communities like Chibok to stand their ground—all hint at a nation unwilling to yield. The road ahead is long, but the resolve to reclaim peace is unmistakable.