The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has decorated Muhammed Abu Ali with his new rank of Lieutenant Colonel, after granting him an accelerated promotion from the rank of Major.
Buratai performed the ceremony during his visit to Gamboru Ngala, where he addressed troops prosecuting the counter-insurgency war.
The gesture, according to a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Colonel Sani Usman, is in recognition and appreciation of the officer’s “exceptional performance” in the frontline of battle.
Buratai, the statement noted,”addressed troops and performed a symbolic ceremony of hoisting Nigeria’s national flag at the border between Nigeria and Cameroon at the strategic and economic town of Gomboru Ngala, just by the river bank that divides the two countries. ”
Buratai, the statement noted,”addressed troops and performed a symbolic ceremony of hoisting Nigeria’s national flag at the border between Nigeria and Cameroon at the strategic and economic town of Gomboru Ngala, just by the river bank that divides the two countries. ”
It added that: “Lt. Gen Buratai, however, warned the troops that there was a lot to do, adding that the war is not over as the terrorists were yet to give up. He stated that the terrorists plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and attack isolated communities and urged the troops to ensure that they stopped the terrorists.
“He further assured of his continued support to the units. He also had a brief interaction with a spontaneous and mammoth crowd of both Nigerian refugees and Cameroonian citizens across the river that converged to greet him.”
