The Federal Government has conferred national honours on serving personnel and veterans of the Nigerian Army, including a brigadier general killed by terrorists in Borno State, in recognition of gallantry, sacrifice, leadership and service to the nation.
The awards were presented at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day Gala Night held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, on Tuesday.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Army spokesperson, Col. Appolonia Anele.
Anele said Brigadier General Musa Uba was honoured with the Gallantry Award for displaying exceptional courage and leading troops from the front during counter-insurgency operations in Borno State.
Uba was killed after terrorists ambushed troops along the Damboa Road axis near Wajiroko in November 2025 while they were transporting military equipment.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, received the Service and Sacrifice Award.
“The Federal Government has conferred various honours on serving personnel and veterans of the Nigerian Army in recognition of gallantry, sacrifice, innovation, exemplary leadership and post-service contributions to national development.
“Among the recipients was the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, who received the Service and Sacrifice Award for exemplifying selfless service and providing decisive leadership in counter-insurgency and internal security operations across multiple theatres.
“Other recipients of the Service and Sacrifice Award include Major General Abdulsalami Enesi Abubakar, Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI and Major General Faruk Mijinyawa, former General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Lagos, for their exceptional operational leadership and dedication to duty.
“Brigadier General Musa Uba was honoured with the Gallantry Award for displaying exceptional courage and leading troops from the front during counter-insurgency operations in Borno State, while Brigadier General Usman Ahmad received the Mission Success Award for his critical role in repelling repeated terrorist attacks and sustaining operational effectiveness under intense pressure, ” the statement partly read.
Other recipients of the Service and Sacrifice Award were Major General Abdulsalami Enesi Abubakar, Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, and Major General Faruk Mijinyawa, former General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Lagos, for operational leadership and dedication to duty.
Brigadier General Usman Ahmad received the Mission Success Award for his role in repelling terrorist attacks and sustaining operational effectiveness under pressure.
In the innovation category, Colonel Ibrahim Mohammed Gero was awarded for developing a redesigned ballistic gunboat deployed in support of Operation DELTA SAFE.
Late Colonel B. Umaru was posthumously honoured with the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Excellence Award for his role in Operation HADIN KAI, while late Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ebisingha Alari received the Fallen Heroes Award for his contributions to counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
In the veterans’ category, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), received the Legacy (Service and Sacrifice) Award for reforms undertaken during his tenure from 2015 to 2021 and his subsequent diplomatic service as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.
Speaking at the event, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, charged the Armed Forces to remain disciplined, loyal and united, describing them as guardians of Nigeria’s democracy.
The President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the military to achieve lasting peace and announced the approval of two initiatives—the Thank-A-Soldier Electronic Wall and the My Nigerian Hero Campaign—to enable Nigerians to honour serving personnel and veterans.
The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is an annual event to honour fallen heroes, recognise serving personnel and celebrate veterans of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
