The death of a brave soldier who paid the supreme price in the fight against the terror sect Boko Haram, has thrown Nigerians into mourning mood.
Lieutenant Col. Muhammad Abu Ali was killed by Boko Haram in a night ambush.
Ali, who was until his death, the commanding officer 272 Task Force Tank Battalion. was killed alongside three of his men.
They lost their lives while repelling an attack on a location of 119 Battalion of the Army at Mallam Fatori, Borno State, even as four other soldiers were wounded in the attack.
Ali’s bravery and courage at frontline finds it way into a public and he is deemed as a hero who fought the secure Nigerian territories from the grip of terrorists.
He received accelerated promotion from the rank of major to lieutenant colonel and was decorated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai at Gamboru Ngala on September 9, 2015 during an operational visit.
During that decoration, Buratai praised Ali for his “courage, bravery and exceptional performance in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.”
On of his colleagues recalled the gallant role he played in the recapture of Baga from insurgents. He was also a key part of the capture of Gamboru-Ngala.
“He led us with the T-72 when we advanced on Monguno and Baga, and he collected those places,” the soldier who served under said of Ali.
His friend, @Ayoadbayo4 who was apparently closed to Ali when he gave up the ghost on the battle field said; “His last word to us•• Pray, stay Alert and Stay Alive• if someone must Die let it be me•• never knew u saw it coming
He died on Friday, November 4, 2016 after Boko Haram attacked the 272 Task Force Tank Battalion in Borno. Ali was the commanding officer.
The Defence Minister Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali has described the death of Lt. Col. M Abu-Ali as a tragic and unfortunate development in the theatre of operations.
According to a statement by Col Tukur Gusau, Public Relations Officer to the Hon Minister of Defence, the Honourable Minister received the sad news while in Sokoto and prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the war hero eternal rest.
“Defence Minster described Lt. Col. Abu-Ali as a major pillar in the war against terrorism and insurgency in the North East.
“He also expresses his condolences to the father of the deceased, the Etsu of Bassa-Nge Kingdom (Kogi state), Brig Gen Abu-Ali (Rtd), his young family and the Nigerian Army, the statement reads.
Also, Nigerians have taken to social media to mourn the death of Ali and some of his colleagues on the battle ground.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army says national burial of late Lt Col MA Ali and soldiers that paid the supreme price will hold today, 7th November, 2016 at the National Cemetery in Abuja.
May his soul and that of other soldiers who paid the supreme price rest in peace
May his soul and that of other soldiers who paid the supreme price rest in peace
Watch Video Lt. Col. Ali mount T72 tank – his weapon of choice
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