NIGERIAN ARMY CHIEF, OTHER SERVING AND RETIRED PERSONNEL HONOURED AT NATIONAL AWARDS CEREMONY

The Federal Government has conferred various honours on serving personnel and veterans of the Nigerian Army for gallantry, sacrifice, innovation, leadership, and post-service contributions. The awards were presented during the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day Gala Night at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, January 13.

In a statement, the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, detailed the list of awardees. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, received the Service and Sacrifice Award for exemplifying selfless service and providing decisive leadership in counter-insurgency and internal security operations. 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 81 Division.

Brigadier General Musa Uba was posthumously honoured with the Gallantry Award for exceptional courage in Borno State, while Brigadier General Usman Ahmad received the Mission Success Award for repelling repeated terrorist attacks. Colonel Ibrahim Mohammed Gero received the Innovation Award for developing a redesigned ballistic gunboat that enhanced operations in the Niger Delta.

Posthumous awards were also given. Late Colonel B Umaru received the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Excellence Award for his work in Operation HADIN KAI. Late Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ebisingha Alari was honoured with the Fallen Heroes Award for his role in counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.

In the veterans’ category, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), received the Legacy Award for his reforms and subsequent diplomatic service. Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd) was given the Sentinel of Freedom Award for his contributions to military communication and veterans’ advocacy.

Further veteran honorees included Major General Mohammed Sadiq Aliyu (rtd), who received the Phoenix Award for resilience and continued service after being wounded in action. Colonel Olubunmi Oyekola (rtd) was honoured with the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for building a successful catering business. Colonel Bartholomew Chukwuemeka Ogbonna (rtd) received the Community Champion Award for grassroots development projects and youth mobilization. Master Warrant Officer Manu Garba was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Service Medal for 35 years of service and post-retirement community work.

Appolonia Anele noted that the annual event is dedicated to honouring fallen heroes, recognising serving personnel, and celebrating veterans whose efforts safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty and unity. The statement from Anele was dated January 14, 2026.