The Nigerian Army is in mourning following the tragic loss of several dedicated soldiers who served valiantly in a peacekeeping mission.
It is deeply sad to hear about the tragic loss of these military personnel. Their profiles provide insight into their backgrounds and service to the Nigerian Army. Here are the profiles of the 17 slain military personnel:
Late Lieutenant Colonel Abdullahi Hassan Ali (N/12079):
Born on 18 May 1975 in Kano, Nigeria.
Hailed from Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State.
Education: Kuka Special Primary School, Fagge; Government Senior Grammar School, Gwarzo; College of Arts and Remedial Studies, Kano; Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto (Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science).
Enlisted in the Nigerian Army on 2 October 1996.
Granted Short Service Combatant Commission on 17 December 2005.
Converted to Regular Combatant Commission on 24 November 2010.
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel (as of 17 November 2020).
Late Major Daniel Ekwo Obi (N/14395):
Born on 20 December 1985 in Niger State, Nigeria.
Hailed from Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Education: Atlas School, Lagos; Nigerian Defence Academy.
Joined the Nigerian Defence Academy on 8 July 2006.
Granted Regular Combatant Commission on 17 September 2011.
Rank: Major (as of 8 July 2020).
Late Major Salihu Danjuma Shafa (N/13976):
Born on 27 March 1985 in Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Hailed from Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State.
Education: Shafa Primary School, Hawul; Government Senior Science Secondary School, Biu; University of Maiduguri (Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology).
Granted Short Service Combatant Commission on 6 April 2011.
Converted to Regular Combatant Commission on 23 August 2018.
Transferred from Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps to Infantry Corps on 6 April 2020.
Rank: Major (as of 6 November 2022).
Late Captain Usman Zakari (N/16348):
Born on 11 May 1989 in Keffi, Nigeria.
Hailed from Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Education: Army Children School Karshi; Government Secondary School, Keffi; Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa (Higher National Diploma in Marketing).
Granted Short Service Combatant Commission on 12 September 2015.
Transferred from Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport to Infantry Corps.
Rank: Captain (as of 3 January 2023).
Late Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu:
Born on 14 October 1973 in Bebeji Town, Kano State, Nigeria.
Enlisted in the Nigerian Army on 19 July 1993.
Served at 81 Bn and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State.
Participated in Operation ORO III AZARE and DELTA SAFE.
Late Corporal Danbaba Yahaya:
Born on 12 August 1989 in Toro Town, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Enlisted in the Nigerian Army on 2 September 2010.
Served at 145 Bn and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State.
Participated in Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Operation DELTA SAFE.
Late Corporal Kabiru Bashir:
Born on 14 February 1990 in Dala, Kano State, Nigeria.
Enlisted in the Nigerian Army on 6 September 2011.
Served at 3 Brigade Garrison and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State.
Late Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna:
Born on 15 July 1994 in Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Enlisted in the Nigerian Army on 4 July 2016.
Served at 22 Armour Brigade Garrison and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State.
Late Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi:
Born on 31 December 1993 in Odogbolu Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Enlisted in the Nigerian Army on 10 June 2017.
Served at 195 Battalion and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State.
Participated in Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Operation DELTA SAFE.
Late Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim:
Born on 13 July 1999 in Saki Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Enlisted in the Nigerian Army on 23 April 2018.
Served at 221 Battalion and 181 Amphibious Battalion Bomadi, Delta State.
Late Private Hamman Peter, born on September 13th, hailed from the town of Maiduguri in Taraba State. Enlisting in the Nigerian Army on April 23rd, 2019, as part of the 78 Regular Intake, he was subsequently posted to the renowned f Corps Centre in Jaji. Serving at the Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi, Delta State, Private Hamman Peter demonstrated unwavering commitment to duty. Tragically, he lost his life while on a peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli Local Government Area of Delta State on March 14th, 2024. His gallantry was evident through his participation in Operation HADIN KM and Operation DELTA SAFE.
Another fallen hero, Late Private Clement Francis, was born on September 7th, 1998, in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State. Joining the Nigerian Army as part of the 78 Regular Intake on April 23rd, 2019, he was assigned to the Infantry Corps Centre in Jaji. Private Clement Francis served commendably at the 181 Amphibious Battalion.
Late Private Abubakar Ali, born on May 25th, 1999, hailed from Degubi Nagere in Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State. Enlisting on the same day as his comrades, April 23rd, 2019, as part of the 78 Regular Intake, he was also posted to the Infantry Corps Centre in Jaji. Private Abubakar Ali contributed his skills and dedication at the 63 Brigade Garrison and later served at the 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi, Delta State. Tragically, he lost his life during a peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on March 14th, 2024. His courage was evident through his participation in Operation DELTA SAFE.
Late Private Adamu Ibrahim, born on January 10th, 1998, in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council Local Government Area of Borno State, joined the Nigerian Army on April 23rd, 2019, as part of the 78 Regular Intake. Following his posting to the Infantry Corps Centre in Jaji, he served with distinction at the 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi, Delta State. Sadly, he lost his life during a peace mission at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on March 14th, 2024. Private Adamu Ibrahim displayed immense bravery through his active involvement in Operation HADIN ΚΑΙ and Operation DELTA SAFE.
Additionally, Late Private Adamu Ibrahim, born on February 1st, 1998, in Albasu Local Government Area of Kano State, joined the Nigerian Army on January 18th, 2021, as part of the 80 Regular Intake. He was subsequently posted to the Infantry Corps Centre in Jaji. Private Adamu Ibrahim dedicated his service to the 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi, Delta State. His life was tragically cut short while on a peace mission at Okuama.
The Nigerian Army, their families, and the nation as a whole mourn the loss of these brave soldiers who selflessly served their country. Their unwavering commitment and gallantry will be forever remembered and honored. May their souls rest in eternal peace.