Command centre of Operation Lafiya Dole has mourned the passing away of the commanding officer of the 272 task force battalion, Lt. Col. Mohammed Abu Ali.
It described late Lt. Col. Abu Ali as “a gallant, battle tested and trusted patriotic soldier of the Nigerian Army.”
“He served the nation with unwavering commitment and dedication, paying the ultimate price so that millions can sleep on their beds in peace,” a statement from the command center said.
Until his death, Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali nicknamed “Sarkin Yaji; Lord of war” was the commanding officer of the 272 task force battalion at Mallam Fatori in Northern Borno State.
The statement further said: “Command centre is deeply pained as Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali did not only serve as the face of the campaign against Boko Haram which embodied commitment, loyalty, service and hope for a better, peaceful and prosperous nation but also a source of inspiration to us and millions of Nigerians praying for the speedy end of the insurgency.
“We are deeply pained at the loss of one so selfless and committed to routing the misguided terrorists from the North of the country.
“We pray for his family and the Nigerian Army that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss.
“Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali and others who have lost their lives in the ongoing campaign will never be forgotten.”
Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu 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. He lost his life with four other gallant soldiers after a failed attempt by the terrorists to capture Mallam Fatori in Northen Borno.
The troops, however, neutralised fourteen of the terrorists recovering a large cache of arms and ammunition from them.
