HONOUR, COURAGE AND SACRIFICE:
THE STORY OF LATE COL M ABU ALI. 2
A STORY OF BRAVERY, COURAGE AND SACRIFICE.
People don’t really talk about the late col Abu-Ali enough. Without him, there might not be a peaceful Nigeria today. Because if the Boko Haram terrorists had taken over Maiduguri Metropole, that would have been the end of it all.
He came to the frontline when virtually the whole of Maiduguri was living in fear,and those who are even supposed to protect lives and properties weren’t sure of what would be their fate in the next second or minute.
As big as Maiduguri is, the raid started from smaller locations down to battalions and later brigades. They (BHT) were well-trained and had proper intelligence reports. They knew the terrain and all roads leading to various locations.
Unlike us (Soldiers),we hardly locate so many places due to the terrain.
If you mistakenly use Google, where it’s even almost impossible, because if you plot a map, for instance, from Malam-Fatori going to Maiduguri, you might find yourself in Sudan. There’s no mobile network to even do such, even if there’s a network, don’t ever try it 😁
As big as Maiduguri is,the only 2 locations remaining for the BHT to capture were Biu and Konduga, every other battalion and brigade were all under BHT control.
The task was almost an impossible one when we came back as Special Forces, as our first task was to go into Sambisa which wasn’t successful.
Virtually everyone was living in fear around the whole of Maiduguri. Even Maimalari barracks,which was the HQ of 7 Div. Funny how they were almost set to attack the barracks the very day we started our advance to recapture both Baga and Monguno.
Nobody was ready to risk it, as motivation wasn’t coming from anywhere, and the only thing keeping the top commanders was strict orders, vibe, and “insha’Allah” everything will be fine.
Then we were set for one of the deadliest operations when Abu-Ali came; that very day,we heard they’ve postponed the election for 6 weeks.
We saw some equipment trooping into town. Then the king of all came, and nobody knew him, but with his address, how can a man like this be courageous and not even know where we are going?
We know the terrain, and this task is almost impossible; we’ve seen it all.
But we shouldn’t be a doubting Thomas because we’ve seen so many officers come with much talk and less action.
But with the tanks we saw,and that T-72, we think this can be a game changer.
But how can an officer be this soft-spoken with an innocent face? Are you sure they did not bring one CJTF member to come and deceive us? No, a civilian can’t be operating a tank.
We took the risk, from his address:”Gentlemen, please be rest assured this operation shall be a success. Just do 5% of the job for me, and I will execute the remaining 95%.”
Majority doubted it, normal talks as usual.
But we shouldn’t doubt it,We took the risk, from his address and we were set to move.
He got inside his tank, started the engine, well sound, and all that. I checked into my MRAP, mounted my eagle, let me be seeing what’s ahead as Abu-Ali was already about 100 meters ahead.
Firing started from the very point we moved. If you’re sure of Maiduguri,you will know the terrorists are already close to town; we started gun duels from Tungushe.
And it did not stop until we got to Monguno; serious firing and rocket launchers.
But trust me, Abu-Ali did 98% of the job, and we did just 2 percent, because we gave his tank covering fire, by left and right flanking with arrowhead movement, he was ahead.Monguno was recaptured after so many obstacles, and funny how they were busy using the whole barracks facility, including the hospital. Foot soldiers saw their casualties in the hospital because, trust, they never believed anybody could overrun them to reclaim those places. The ones that escaped went straight to Baga to beef others up there.
Now the task was to move ahead to Baga, another bloody battle. What I saw that very day, my mouth can’t even say it out, as they could comfortably attack the whole of Maiduguri,and nothing would stop them except jets, and it wouldn’t be possible because everyone would be mixed, and it would be extremely, almost impossible.
Now we jetted off to Baga; en route, the biggest of firing started; for several hours, nobody waso able to identify anything as the whole places became dark.
Our biggest shocker was when we couldn’t hear Abu-Ali anymore,and we both thought, okay, this is all we will all die here.
Firing was ongoing until Abu-Ali regained consciousness, and within a few minutes, everything was cleared.
Moved to Baga, same problem, but everywhere became clear, and reaching Baga, it was as if we’d recaptured the whole of Nigeria.
The sigh of relief from everyone, and within a few minutes, dignitaries trooping in with choppers, the COAS, and the CDS came in with so much smiles, and we saw the CiC, wow, first time seeing the president.
Address, and all that, jubilation here and there.Now visitors left, and the news came in for another operation to go and recapture Kangarwa. Kangarwa of all places? It’s well, we shall triumph.
One thing about Abu-Ali is, he doesn’t feel remorse going into any battle; he just believes he will go and conquer; that is the belief he instilled in us, fearless and ruthless.And that was where BHT nicknamed Abu-Ali and his tank DODO. Their worst nightmare.
Kangarwa battle, story for another day.
Abu-Ali should be immortalized.
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