It is an especially sad day for the Nigerian Army. It’s most efficient fighter has died in battle after surviving deadly onslaughts and dodging bullets for years.
Muhammed Abu-Ali, a lieutenant colonel, died in an ambush laid for his troops by the terrorist Boko Haram sect, according to Premium Times.
Fourteen Boko Haram insurgents and four other soldiers died in the attack, the army said.
Mr. Abu Ali, commanding officer of 272 Tank Battalion, is reputed as the army’s bravest commander and fighter in Nigeria’s ongoing anti-terrorism war.
Last year, he bagged accelerated promotion for his gallantry and efficiency on the battlefield.
Highly-placed military officials with knowledge of the battle that claimed the officer and his colleagues informed this newspaper of the development.
One of the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred at Mallam Fatori, a major Boko Haram stronghold on the northernmost tip of Borno State, on Friday evening.
The source said Mr. Abu-Ali was hit by several bullets as he tried to reinforce troops to repel an ongoing attack in the town.
A few hours earlier, Boko Haram launched a sustained attack on the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.
As the battled raged, Mr. Ali recognised an immediate need for reinforcement. But his team was met by another group of terrorists while making its way back to the battlefront.
Mr. Ali was killed in the firefight that ensued, the source said
The attack also left six other soldiers dead, while Boko Haram lost 14 of its members.
The Army spokesman, Sani Usman, a colonel, described him as “hero of our time” during the ceremony which took place in Borno State.
It is not immediately clear if his family has been informed about the development, which has plunged troops on the battlefield into a weekend of mourning, sources said.
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