25/09/2025
Late Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali, one of the finest military officers Nigeria has had in the last few years. Who is Abu Ali?
In January 2015, Boko-Haram attacked Baga Town in Borno State, killing hundreds of people and took over the administrative control of Baga Town. That attack was so brutal that the army ran away from the town, the attack is regarded by many as the worst BH attack ever, the number of people killed in the attack is up till this moment concealed from the public. But in the following month of February 2015, Ali led a military operation that retook the town from BH, during the operation, Ali told his men not to worry, that they should do only 5% of the job, he was going to do the remaining 95% with the tanks and he did exactly that. To reward the bravery, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) gave him an award for Bravery and Excellence and also gave him an accelerated promotion from the rank of Major to
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Baga Town that was took over by Boko-Haram was not the only town/LG Abu Ali helped recovered for Nigeria. He and his battalion also recovered Monguno, Konduga, Bama, Pulka and Gwoza for Nigeria after being overtaken by Boko-Haram.
One of Ali's bravery story was during the operation to recover Monguno. In other to pave way for wounded soldiers to be evacuated from the battlefield for medical attention, Ali took on scores of Boko-Haram terrorists driving his armoured 105 Howitzer against the terrorists and kept firing until he ran out of ammunition. When he ran out of ammunition, the terrorists surrounded the armoured tank, thinking Ali had ran away, fired it with rounds of AK47 rifles and bombed it with IED and left happily that they had destroyed one of the armoured tank of the Nigeria Army. The troops who escaped the attack went back to the military base to report that Ali had been killed. But about 48 hours later, they saw the destroyed 105 Howitzer of Ali making it back to base, when the armoured tank stopped, Ali disembarked from it to the jubilation of other officers who had thought Ali was dead. He was quickly rushed to receive treatment as he was bleeding from the nose, ears and other parts of the body. Immediately he was treated and certified okay, Ali who said he had an unfinished business with Boko-Haram went back to the battlefield with T-72 long range battle tank and came back victorious, liberating hostages and remaining villages.
Ali in his lifetime made sacrifices for not only Nigeria, but also his fellow Military personnel. As a Major, he carried out tasks that a senior military officer in his rank would normally delegate. He was so feared and dreaded by Boko-Haram and so brave that he was nicknamed 'War King'. His usual line to his troop was "We will Win".
Sadly, on November 4, 2016, Abu Ali and 6 other soldiers were killed by Boko-Haram. After neutralising an attempt to overrun Mallam Fatori by over 60 Boko-Haram terrorists, Ali moved 100s of metres ahead to ascertain the Boko-Haram casualty figures and the casualty figures of his own troops that were either killed or injured, he also wanted to ensure there were no more terrorists hiding in the caves, hills or bushes around that can lay an ambush, when he was satisfied that the place was cleared of terrorists, he ordered his men to return to their positions, as they were returning, a new group of Boko-Haram terrorists emerged from nowhere and opened fire on them, leading to Ali's death and 6 other members of the troop.
His death shook the country, the COAS wept uncontrollably, he was given a National Funeral with a powerful delegation led by the Late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari representing the President. Ali's life epitomises Sacrifices, Selflessness, Bravery, Courage, Gallantry and Patriotism. He was just 36, survived by a wife and 3 young children.
May his gallant soul continue to rest in peace 🪦
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