By Tope Babalola
It exactly two years ago today, Lt Colonel Mohammed Abu Ali(AKA Sarkin Yaki), Commanding Officer 272 Task Force Tank Battalion of the Nigerian Army was martyred at Malam Fatori whilst fighting to save his fatherland ,Nigeria from Boko Haram Terrorists.
Mohammed Abu Ali was the first member of the Regular Course 50 intake of the Nigerian Defence Academy to attain the rank of Lt Col and to command a battalion.
He was the eldest son of the Etsu Bassange, Brig Gen Abu Ali (rtd) former Military Administrator of old Bauchi State.
As a Major, Sarkin Yaki was one of the very first officers who commanded a T72 tank squadron following the procurement of the Heavy duty Armour hardware by the Jonathan Administration in Oct 2014, battling and pushing the Boko Haram terrorists all the way from rugged terrain of northern Adamawa to Baga in Borno State between Nov 2014 and Feb 2015.
He was again in the thick of the action on 1 Sept 2015 when Gamboru was conclusively repossessed .
The 36 year old Col Abu Ali and 4 of his colleagues reportedly died when they ran into an ambush put in place by Boko Haram snipers at Malam Fatori ,Borno State exactly 2 years ago today
. Rest in peace & rise in glory.
Tope Babalola is the former Director of Information services (DIS) in Ekiti.
