FG honours Army Chiefs, Officers, Soldiers for gallantry, sacrifice

The Federal Government has conferred honours on senior officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army in recognition of gallantry, sacrifice, innovation and outstanding contributions to national security.

The awards were presented at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day Gala and Award Night held on Tuesday in Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Among the awardees was the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, who received the Service and Sacrifice Award for what organisers described as exemplary selfless service and decisive leadership in counter-insurgency and internal security operations across the country.

A former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, was also honoured with the Service and Sacrifice Award under the Legacy Award category, in recognition of reforms introduced during his tenure and the expansion of the Army’s operational capacity. Buratai was further recognised for his service as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.

Other recipients of the Service and Sacrifice Award included Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, and Maj.-Gen. Faruk Mijinyawa, former General Officer Commanding of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army in Lagos.

Brig.-Gen. Musa Uba received the Gallantry Award for exceptional bravery and leading troops from the front during counter-insurgency operations in Borno State.

Similarly, Brig.-Gen. Usman Ahmad was presented with the Mission Success Award for his critical role in foiling repeated terrorist attacks and sustaining operational effectiveness under intense pressure.

In the area of innovation, Col. Ibrahim Mohammed-Gero clinched the Innovation Award for developing and deploying a redesigned ballistic gunboat that significantly enhanced operational effectiveness in support of Operation DELTA SAFE.

Posthumous honours were also awarded to fallen officers. The late Col. B. Umaru received the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Excellence Award for his critical intelligence contributions to Operation HADIN KAI, while the late Lt.-Col. Thomas Ebisingha-Alari was honoured with the Fallen Heroes Award for his role in major counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.

Retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, former Director of Army Public Relations, was honoured with the Sentinel of Freedom Award for his contributions to strategic military communication, peacekeeping operations and sustained advocacy for veterans’ welfare, national security and civic values.

Retired Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Aliyu also received the Phoenix Award for resilience and exceptional leadership, having continued to serve in senior defence roles despite being wounded in action during counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

There were also award recipients from other arms of the Armed Forces.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, said the honours went beyond individual achievements, noting that each award represented stories of courage, quiet sacrifice and unwavering commitment to duty, often carried out away from public attention.

According to him, such acts collectively form the bedrock of Nigeria’s security architecture.

The minister paid special tribute to the families of fallen heroes, particularly spouses, for bearing what he described as the silent burden of sacrifice, assuring them that the legacy of their loved ones would remain an enduring part of the nation’s history. He also acknowledged military veterans whose service, he said, laid the foundation for the Armed Forces’ continued strength.

In a vote of thanks on behalf of the awardees, Buratai expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry of Defence for instituting the awards to recognise gallantry, professionalism and sacrifice within the Armed Forces.

He described the gala as a historic initiative that honoured deserving officers and soldiers while paying tribute to fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation.

Buratai also commended the President, the Minister of Defence, service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police for their leadership and efforts toward restoring peace and security across the country.

He further paid tribute to troops on the frontlines, describing their sacrifices as a source of inspiration to both serving and retired personnel, and thanked Nigerians for their continued support for the military, veterans and families of fallen heroes.

The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is an annual event dedicated to honouring fallen heroes and recognising serving personnel whose courage, professionalism and sacrifice continue to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty.