PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours on serving and retired personnel of the Nigerian Army, including a brigadier general killed during counter-insurgency operations in Borno State, in recognition of gallantry, sacrifice, leadership and outstanding service to the nation.
The honours were presented at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day Gala Night, held on Tuesday at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
The development was disclosed in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Wednesday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, who said the awards formed part of the government’s efforts to acknowledge the courage and professionalism of Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
Among the honourees was Brigadier General Musa Uba, who received the Gallantry Award for what the Army described as exceptional bravery and leadership on the front lines of counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
Brigadier General Uba was killed in November 2025 after Boko Haram ambushed Nigerian troops along the Damboa Road axis near Wajiroko in Borno State, while they were transporting military equipment.
According to the statement, Uba’s award recognised his commitment to duty and his habit of personally leading troops during high-risk operations.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, was also honoured with the Service and Sacrifice Award for what the Army described as exemplary leadership and selfless service in counter-insurgency and internal security operations across multiple theatres nationwide.
Other recipients of the Service and Sacrifice Award included Major General Abdulsalami Enesi Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, and Major General Faruk Mijinyawa, former General Officer Commanding of the 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Lagos, in recognition of their operational leadership and dedication to duty.
In the same vein, 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.
In the innovation category, Colonel Ibrahim Mohammed Gero was honoured for developing a redesigned ballistic gunboat, which has been deployed in support of Operation DELTA SAFE to enhance maritime security.
The Army also posthumously honoured late officers whose contributions were deemed pivotal to national security. Late Colonel B. Umaru received the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Excellence Award for his role in Operation HADIN KAI, while late Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ebisingha Alari was decorated with 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.), was conferred with the Legacy (Service and Sacrifice) Award in recognition of reforms carried out during his tenure from 2015 to 2021, as well as his post-service diplomatic role as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.
Speaking at the event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, charged members of the Armed Forces to remain disciplined, loyal and united, describing them as guardians of Nigeria’s democracy and sovereignty.
The President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare and operational capacity of the military, announcing the approval of two new initiatives, the Thank-A-Soldier Electronic Wall and the My Nigerian Hero Campaign aimed at enabling Nigerians to honour serving personnel and veterans.
The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is observed annually to honour fallen heroes, recognise the sacrifices of serving personnel, and celebrate veterans of the Nigerian Armed Forces who have contributed to the defence and stability of the nation.