General Musa Uba and the Dark Side of Social Media in Modern Warfare
By MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi
The tragic and untimely death of Brigadier General Musa Uba, Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, Borno State, at the hands of ISWAP terrorists, is more than a national loss—it is a sobering reminder of the dangerous intersection between modern warfare and the digital public square.
His murder underscores an uncomfortable truth: in today’s world, the misuse of social media can be as lethal as the bullets on the battlefield.
We now live in a hyperconnected era where information travels faster than sound. Social media has collapsed the boundaries of distance, enabling millions to access, share, and amplify information in real time. For militaries worldwide—including Nigeria’s—these platforms serve as critical tools for shaping public perception, countering misinformation, issuing advisories, and mobilizing community support. They improve intelligence gathering and enhance operational awareness.
But the same tools designed to fortify national security can just as quickly undermine it. A single reckless post, a premature update, or an unverified claim about troop movements can expose personnel to grave danger. Terrorist groups monitor these platforms meticulously. They exploit them for propaganda, recruitment, intelligence gathering, and psychological operations aimed at weakening troop morale and fracturing public confidence.
Tragically, this appears to have played a role in the death of Brigadier General Uba.
His location and operational condition became entangled in a storm of online speculation at a time when silence, clarity, and caution were essential. These digital traces, amplified across social media, may have inadvertently assisted the terrorists in identifying and intercepting him.
According to the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Uba and his troops, alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), had just completed a successful patrol around Wajiroko in the Azir–Multe axis of Damboa LGA when they walked into a well-coordinated ISWAP ambush. Surrounded from multiple angles, the Brigade Commander ordered a tactical withdrawal while calling for air support.
At this critical moment—when the situation was still evolving, and rescue efforts were underway—social media became saturated with unverified reports claiming that the Brigade Commander had been captured alive. Panic erupted. Accusations flew. The military was condemned in real time.
Caught between operational secrecy and overwhelming public pressure, the Army issued a statement to calm national anxiety, confirming that the Commander was alive and coordinating his troops, while acknowledging the loss of personnel.
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But that necessary communication did not occur in a vacuum. Terrorists, equally active online and equipped with tracking tools, were monitoring the discourse. The clarifications intended to reassure Nigerians may also have provided terrorist cells with actionable intelligence. Shortly after, Brigadier General Uba was captured and brutally executed.
This painful experience highlights the profound vulnerability of military operations in the digital age. Social media, though powerful, is not benign. Every message has consequences. Every post has an audience. The enemy is always listening.
This tragedy must serve as a national wake-up call.
Security agencies must refine their communication strategies to balance transparency with operational safety. Timing, content, and accuracy are critical—especially during crisis situations. Information must not be released merely to satisfy curiosity; it must be weighed against the potential risks to ongoing operations and personnel safety.
At the same time, research on the role of social media in national security must deepen. As technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Big Data Analytics, and the Internet of Things reshape conflict dynamics, Nigeria must invest in understanding how to harness and regulate these tools responsibly.
As a postgraduate researcher at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, whose research focus is on “Social Media and Crisis Communication Management in the Nigerian Army (2015–2025),” I view this tragedy as a case study of the grave consequences of digital indiscipline and premature public communication.
The media, too, carries a heavy responsibility. Sensational reporting that circulates unverified claims not only misinforms the public—it can jeopardize lives. Terrorists thrive on fear, confusion, and psychological disruption. The media must not become an unwitting amplifier of their narratives.
Citizens also have a crucial role to play. Patriotism is not only measured by flags and anthems; it is measured by restraint. We must resist the temptation to share sensitive information or emotionally charged rumors that compromise national security. A forwarded message may seem harmless, but in today’s asymmetric warfare, it can have deadly consequences.
Above all, we must continue to honour the courage of our military men and women. Brigadier General Musa Uba exemplified exceptional bravery, leadership, and commitment to Nigeria’s stability. His death is a heartbreaking loss, but his sacrifice must refocus our national consciousness on responsible communication and collective vigilance.
Our soldiers fight every day in one of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. The least we owe them is digital discipline.
May Nigeria learn from this tragedy, strengthen its crisis communication systems, and uphold the memory of a fallen hero whose life was dedicated to protecting the nation.
MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi,
Fellow, Centre for Crisis Communication
Email: [email protected]
