Army kills 14 Boko Haram terrorists as it repels attack but loses one of its finest officers

GOVERRNMENT troops have killed 14 Boko Haram insurgents when they repelled an attack on a Nigerian Army outpost in Mallam Fatori in Borno State that unfortunately led to the death of five soldiers including the high decorated Lt Col Muhammed Ali.

 

On Friday night, the terrorists attacked the 119 Battalion's post but the troops fought back gallantly but in the firefight, Lt Col Ali, the commanding officer of the 272 Task Force Tank Battalion and four soldiers died. Nigerian Army spokesman Col Sani Usman, said that four other soldiers were injured during the attack.

 

Col Usman added: “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."

 

He pointed out that because of Lt Col Ali'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 General Tukur Buratai, at Gamboru Ngala, on September 9, 2015 during an operational visit. According to Col Usman, 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.

 

However, the loss of Lt Colonel Ali is a big blow to the Nigerian Army as he has been described as one of the finest and most courageous officer currently deployed against Boko Haram. His colleagues recalled the gallant role he played in the recapture of Baga from insurgents in February 2015, which is often cited in military circles as one of the army’s fiercest-ever battles with Boko Haram.

 

He was also a key part of the capture of Gamboru-Ngala. During Lt Col Ali's decoration, General Buratai praised him for his courage, bravery and exceptional performance in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.

 

One soldier who served under him said: “He led us with the T-72 when we advanced on Monguno and Baga and he collected those places.”