The Federal Government has conferred national honours on a select group of serving and retired Nigerian Army personnel, spotlighting acts of courage, leadership and innovation on the frontlines of the country’s security challenges. At the centre of the tributes was Brigadier General Musa Uba, a frontline commander killed in an ambush in Borno State, who was posthumously recognised as a symbol of sacrifice in the long war against terrorism.
The honours were presented at the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day Gala Night held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. The event, traditionally used to honour fallen heroes and celebrate serving personnel and veterans, took on added emotional weight as families of deceased officers joined senior commanders, policymakers and diplomats to witness the recognition of their loved ones.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army outlined the categories of awards and the officers selected for recognition. Anele explained that the honours were designed to acknowledge “gallantry, sacrifice, innovation, exemplary leadership and post-service contributions to national development” at a time when the military remains deeply engaged in multiple internal security and counter-insurgency operations.
Brigadier General Musa Uba, who received the Gallantry Award posthumously, was singled out for his frontline leadership in Borno State, the epicentre of Nigeria’s long-running insurgency. Uba was known among his troops for leading from the front during operations against terrorist groups in the North-East. He was killed when terrorists ambushed a military convoy along the Damboa Road axis near Wajiroko while troops were transporting equipment for ongoing operations.
Senior officers described Uba’s death as a stark reminder of the risks borne daily by personnel deployed in conflict zones. His award, presented to his next of kin, was framed by the Army as both a tribute to his personal courage and a broader recognition of the sacrifices made by countless unnamed soldiers who have fallen in the line of duty.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, received the Service and Sacrifice Award, underscoring the central role of strategic leadership in the military’s current campaigns. According to Anele, Shaibu was honoured for “exemplifying selfless service and providing decisive leadership in counter-insurgency and internal security operations across multiple theatres.” Under his watch, the Army has continued to prosecute operations against insurgents in the North-East, bandits and kidnappers in the North-West and North-Central, and criminal networks in the South.
Other senior commanders were also recognised in the Service and Sacrifice category. Major General Abdulsalami Enesi Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, received the award for his operational leadership in the North-East theatre, where the military continues to confront remnants of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province. Major General Faruk Mijinyawa, former General Officer Commanding 81 Division in Lagos, was similarly honoured for his stewardship of a key formation responsible for security in Nigeria’s commercial hub and surrounding areas.
Brigadier General Usman Ahmad was decorated with the Mission Success Award, which highlighted officers who have delivered critical operational outcomes under pressure. Ahmad was credited with playing a pivotal role in repelling repeated terrorist attacks and sustaining the fighting effectiveness of his troops in the face of sustained assaults. His recognition underscored the importance of tactical resilience and the ability to maintain morale and cohesion in hostile environments.
The honours also extended beyond battlefield heroics to spotlight innovation and specialised capabilities that underpin modern military operations. In the innovation category, Colonel Ibrahim Mohammed Gero was recognised for developing a redesigned ballistic gunboat deployed in support of Operation Delta Safe, the joint task force responsible for security in the Niger Delta. The upgraded platform is intended to enhance riverine and coastal operations, improve troop protection and strengthen the military’s ability to counter oil theft, piracy and other maritime crimes.
Intelligence and surveillance, often less visible to the public but critical to mission success, were also acknowledged. Late Colonel B. Umaru received the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Excellence Award posthumously for his contributions to Operation Hadin Kai. His work in gathering, analysing and deploying actionable intelligence was described as instrumental to several successful operations against insurgent networks in the North-East.
Another fallen officer, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ebisingha Alari, was honoured with the Fallen Heroes Award. Alari was recognised for his role in counter-terrorism operations in the North-East, where he served in some of the most volatile areas of the conflict. His award, like Uba’s, was presented as a testament to the courage of officers who accept high-risk assignments in defence of the country.
The veterans’ category provided a bridge between past and present, acknowledging the long arc of military service and reform. Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retired), received the Legacy (Service and Sacrifice) Award. Buratai was cited for reforms undertaken during his tenure as Army chief, including efforts to expand the Army’s footprint, improve training and enhance its capacity to respond to asymmetric threats. His subsequent service as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin was also referenced as part of his continued contribution to national interests.
Speaking at the gala night, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, used the occasion to reaffirm the centrality of the Armed Forces to Nigeria’s stability and democratic order. He described the military as “guardians of Nigeria’s democracy” and urged personnel to remain disciplined, loyal and united in the face of evolving security threats.
The President reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the military with the resources and policy backing needed to achieve lasting peace. As part of efforts to deepen public appreciation of military service, he announced the approval of two initiatives: the Thank-A-Soldier Electronic Wall and the My Nigerian Hero Campaign. Both platforms are designed to give Nigerians an opportunity to publicly honour serving personnel, veterans and fallen heroes, and to share stories of courage and sacrifice that might otherwise remain confined to barracks and battlefields.
