ARMY CHIEF WEEPS AS SEVEN SLAIN SOLDIERS ARE LAID TO REST

The Chief of Army Staff[COAS] Lt. Gen. Buratai Tukur, could not hold back tears at the graveside of the commanding officer [CO] of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion , Lt. Col. Muhammed Abu Ali, and six others who were slain by the Boko Haram elements. Other gallant soldiers who also lost their lives in the theater of operation were: Sergeant Muazu Ibrahim, Hussani Jafaru, and Bassey Okon, Cpl. Chukwu Simon, Able sea man Patrick Paul of the Nigerian Navy, as well as Pte Salisu Lawal. 

They died when the terrorists attempted to seize Mallam Fatori in Borno state, on Fiday November 4 in an attack. The slain soldiers were all inducted into the operation Lafiya Dole in 2014, designed to fight Boko Haram insurgents and liberate the North- east from their hold.

In his oration at the national military cemetery Abuja, Buratai described Ali and others as shining example of gallantry and unflinching patriotism. "They were brave, precise, professional and inspiring. They led the battle to recapture the following towns: Monguno, Baga, new marte, Gwoza, Banki junction, Gamboru-Ngale, Yale, Yenteke, Bita, Deruwa, Daira, Kangaruwa, and mallam Fatori. In these battles, they rescued women and children, fathers and mothers, the young and the old, and restored peace and hope to the Nigerian citizens. At last, on November 4, they paid the supreme sacrifice in the battle of Mallam Fatori," The grief-stricken COAS tearfully said.