The fiendish terror group Boko Haram on Friday night reportedly killed a commander in the Nigerian Army and four other soldiers during a shoot-out in Borno State.
The commander name was given as Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali, a gallant officer who has had an outstanding performance in the battle against the insurgents in the North East.
The soldiers also killed 14 members of Boko Haram during the clash.
According to the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, the battle occurred when the insurgents attacked the 119 Battalion’s location at Mallam Fatori, Borno State.
He spoke in a statement on Saturday.
He said that the Commanding Officer of the 272 Task Force Tank Battalion, Lt. Col. Muhamma Abu, and four soldiers were killed while repelling Boko Haram’s attack.
He said that four other soldiers were injured during the attack.
He said, “Yesterday at about 10.00pm suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked a 119 Battalion Nigerian Army location at Mallam Fatori, northern Borno State. The troops fought gallantly and repelled the attack, killing 14 Boko Haram terrorists.
“Unfortunately, we lost an officer and four soldiers, while four other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter. One of those killed in action, was Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali, the Commanding Officer of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion.
“It will be recalled that because of the late senior officer’s exceptional bravery and gallantry, he was given an accelerated promotion from the rank of major to lieutenant colonel and was decorated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, at Gamboru Ngala, on September 9, 2015 during an operational visit.”
Usman said that the troops had recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, seven AK-47 rifles and a large quantity of ammunition from the insurgents, while continuing with a mopping up operation in the area.
Ali, a recipient of the Chief of Army Staff Award for exceptional bravery and excellence, led the army units that recovered Gamboru-Ngala, Baga and several communities from the terrorists. His death came at a time the Nigerian troops are gradually flushing out the insurgents into extinction with sustained attacks on their hideouts.
The Theatre Command Centre of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, said Ali, “served the nation with unwavering commitment and dedication, paying the ultimate price so that millions can sleep on their beds in peace.” “We are deeply pained at the loss of one so selfless and committed to routing the misguided terrorists from the North of the country,” the statement added.
Late Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali
