Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali, has described the death of Lt-Col M Abu-Ali as tragic and an unfortunate development in the theatre of operations.
The Minister received the sad news of Ali’s death while in Sokoto and prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the war hero an eternal rest.
The Minister described Lt-Col Abu-Ali as a major pillar in the war against terrorism and insurgency in the North East.
He also expressed his condolences to the father of the deceased, the Etsu of Bassa- Nge Kingdom (Kogi state) Brig Gen Abu-Ali (Rtd), his young family and the Nigerian Army.
Lt-Col Abu-Ali was among the five soldiers killed when suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked a 119 Battalion Nigerian Army location at Mallam Fatori, northern Borno state.
According to the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, the troops repelled the attack and killed 14 Boko Haram terrorists.
However, the five soldiers lost their lives while other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter.
Lt-Col Abu-Ali was the Commanding Officer of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion.
