The Federal Government of Nigeria has bestowed prestigious national honours upon a group of distinguished soldiers, including a fallen hero, in a significant ceremony that underscores the nation's gratitude for their sacrifice and service.
Posthumous Honour for a Fallen Hero
At the heart of the recognition was the late Brigadier General Musa Uba, who was killed in action during counter-insurgency operations in Borno State. He was posthumously awarded the Gallantry Award for displaying "exceptional courage and leadership from the front" against terrorists in the North-East. General Uba lost his life in November 2025 when troops were ambushed along the Damboa Road axis near Wajiroko while transporting military equipment.
The awards were presented during the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day Gala Night, held on Tuesday at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. The event serves as an annual tribute to fallen heroes, serving officers, and veterans of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Leadership and Service Recognised
In a statement released on Wednesday, January 14, by the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the awards were said to recognise gallantry, sacrifice, leadership, innovation, and service. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, was a prominent recipient, receiving the Service and Sacrifice Award for his decisive leadership in counter-insurgency and internal security operations across the nation.
Other senior officers honoured with the same award included:
- Major General Abdulsalami Enesi Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI.
- Major General Faruk Mijinyawa, former General Officer Commanding of the 81 Division in Lagos.
The statement emphasised that the honours were conferred on both serving personnel and veterans for their exemplary contributions to national development.
Celebrating Mission Success and Innovation
The ceremony also highlighted specific operational achievements. Brigadier General Usman Ahmad received the Mission Success Award for repelling repeated terrorist attacks and maintaining operational effectiveness under intense pressure.
In the innovation category, Colonel Ibrahim Mohammed Gero was honoured for developing a redesigned ballistic gunboat deployed in support of Operation DELTA SAFE. The intelligence field was also recognised, with the late Colonel B. Umaru receiving a posthumous Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Excellence Award for his role in Operation HADIN KAI.
Another posthumous award, the Fallen Heroes Award, was given to the late Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ebisingha Alari for his contributions to counter-terrorism operations.
Tinubu Reaffirms Support, Announces New Initiatives
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the Armed Forces as the guardians of Nigeria's democracy. He urged them to remain disciplined, loyal, and united.
"The President reaffirms the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Armed Forces to achieve lasting peace and security across the country," Idris stated.
He also announced the President's approval of two new public initiatives:
- The Thank-A-Soldier Electronic Wall
- The My Nigerian Hero Campaign
These platforms are designed to enable everyday Nigerians to express gratitude and honour both serving personnel and veterans for their sacrifices.
In the veterans' category, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), received the Legacy (Service and Sacrifice) Award. This recognised the reforms he implemented during his tenure from 2015 to 2021, as well as his subsequent diplomatic service as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.
