Had fate chosen a separate sequence of events, Muhammad Abu Ali, the lieutenant-colonel killed by Boko Haram on Friday, would still be alive.

Abu, commanding officer of the 272 Task Force Tank Battalion, died at about 10.00pm on Friday when suspected insurgents attacked the 119 Battalion Nigerian army location at Mallam Fatori, northern Borno state.But a senior army official who spoke on Sunday said Ali was close to leaving Mallam Fatori ahead of an army raid on Sambisa Forest.

The officer, who asked not to be named, also confirmed that Ali was not in his tank — his most prized weapon — when the attack happened.

“He was outside the tank; he was outside with his radio system. And because it was dark, nobody could exactly see the enemies who shot him,” he said.

“The firing came from behind. When these people [Boko Haram] came, he went towards that direction to see what was happening. He was not in the tank.”

He also spoke about how the soldiers who were killed with Abu may have survived if they had the most basic tool for smothering night attacks.

“You know, night attacks are always difficult,” he said.

“If you’re going for night attacks, you need your night sight — your night vision goggle — so that you can identify your targets clearly. You know what it means to fight in the dark? Confusion. You don’t know who is who.

“But I tell you what, there are only two night vision goggles to an entire battalion. In some cases, you will even find a battalion that has no single night vision goggle.”

A battalion normally comprises 700 soldiers, but the army typically deploys under-strength battalions against Boko Haram, some containing 300 to 400 soldiers.

“Ali went to Mallam Fatori, and the while thing was successful, it was after the operation that this Boko Haram attack was launched,” the official continued.

“The army was preparing for an attack in Sambisa, so Ali was to withdraw from Mallam Fatori ahead of the Sambisa operation. He was preparing to come back when this thing happened.

“There was serious preparation, which means it would happen soon. He had already received orders to withdraw from Mallam Fatori and come for onward movement to Sambisa. It also means that if Boko Haram had delayed that attack by a few days, Ali might have left Mallam Fatori alive.”


Additional input from TheCable


Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/11/abu-ali-actually-died-in-hands-of-boko.html

What I see in this guy is that he is truly a great leader..



lalasticlala, mynd44

Ok

You people should allow this fine young soldier to rest in Peace. We know you people must come up with counter claims as to issues that led to his death. Rubbish.

Sad though

“But I tell you what, there are only two night vision goggles to an entire battalion. In some cases, you will even find a battalion that has no single night vision goggle.”

So you mean since the battle began, we've not been able to acquire night vision cameras? are we serious at all?

Why cant Buhari buy more weapons for these guys....??

ignorant commentators won't make me say anything.

bigtt76:


So you mean since the battle began, we've not been able to acquire night vision cameras? are we serious at all?

Honestly. What a shame.

ajayiwrites2 get insider for that troop lol

I see nothing but the hand of esau in this gallant and handsome officer's untimely exit!


A very serious soul searching should be conducted on these soldiers to uncover flfth columnists in their mist!


Officer, may God bless you where ever you are!

imaging a whole battalion conducting night operation with one night vision goggle, when are we even going to get it right in this country, Night vision goggle is not that expensive,
a night goggle is $22.00 (#9900) does it mean Nigeria Army can't afford 2000 pieces of Night goggle for our soldiers in war front , just because of #9900 this gallant soldier just die like that, Nigeria don't worth to die for.... TUFIAKWA

Adaowerri111:
ajayiwrites2 get insider for that troop lol

LOL.. abi na. You wan try am?

The best time to sing Nigeria jagajaga is now. Eedris was too quick

Hmmm Dasuki, Haba

ArabMopol:
imaging a whole battalion conducting night operation with one night vision goggle, when are we even going to get it right in this country, Night vision goggle is not that expensive,
a night goggle is $22.00 (#9900) does it mean Nigeria Army can't afford 2000 pieces of Night goggle for our soldiers in war front , just because of #9900 this gallant soldier just die like that, Nigeria don't worth to die for.... TUFIAKWA

some people wanted to start contributing money to buy kits for our soldiers in 2014.
where them dey now?
agabusta!
our boys need night fighting kit!

So all those ones I see during Special Forces parades gets back to Ordinance for safe keeping abi? Imagine a fine officer.

“You know, night attacks are always difficult,” he said.

“If you’re going for night attacks, you need your night sight — your night vision goggle — so that you can identify your targets clearly. You know what it means to fight in the dark? Confusion. You don’t know who is who.

“But I tell you what, there are only two night vision goggles to an entire battalion. In some cases, you will even find a battalion that has no single night vision goggle.”

A battalion normally comprises 700 soldiers, but the army typically deploys under-strength battalions against Boko Haram, some containing 300 to 400 soldiers.

And one stupid healthy Igbo young man opened a thread here the other day asking for assistance to serve in this useless hell hole zoo army. Go join and die fighting for nothing. Ewu, you know yourself.

tit:


some people wanted to start contributing money to buy kits for our soldiers in 2014.
where them dey now?
agabusta!
our boys need night fighting kit!

we don't need to contribute a dime, Nigeria is damn too rich to be poor, FG should do the right thing and equip this guys risking their lives for us

What about the other soldiers that died with him? Are they not worth mentioning? Thousands of soldiers and civilians have died so make we see road I beg!

I have a hunch that Col. Ali wasn't killed by Boko Haram. There are saboteurs that did the job.

Dasuki , Obanikoro Dokpesi Bukola Etc looted the billions recovered from swiss Banks that was budgeted to combat BH, how do you guys sleep at night!! When diligent soldiers want to work but no night google. Dasuki & friends are endangered people and they will pay for it dearly
Awon agbaya ole oshi , corruption don tire everybody no hope .

Lai Mohammed should be decorated with the rank of a Lt Col and given security briefing immediately to replace the gallant slain soldier.

RIP brave warrior.

So the availability of night vision goggles would have prevented his death, chai... truth is gradually coming forth.

abuayman:
Hmmm Dasuki, Haba

2 years later you are still blaming Dasuki for lack of night vision ..can you see how pointless it sounds?

whiteroses:
Dasuki , Obanikoro Dokpesi Bukola Etc looted the billions recovered from swiss Banks that was budgeted to combat BH, how do you guys sleep at night!! When diligent soldiers want to work but no night google. Dasuki & friends are endangered people and they will pay for it dearly
Awon agbaya ole oshi , corruption don tire everybody no hope .

2 years later you are still blaming Dasuki for the lack of night vision Goggles..I thought Buhari had now armed the military properly

ArabMopol:
we don't need to contribute a dime, Nigeria is damn too rich to be poor, FG should do the right thing and equip this guys risking their lives for us

You see me for dream??

Does it mean Jonathan (sorry Buhari) can not buy night vision googles for the same military zombie boasted about him coming on board to equip? Is Dansuki our current NSA? I guess he has shared another $50b meant for our soldiers from his dungeon custody.

Nigeria is a country in urgent need of soul and foundational purging... No sign of things ever getting better in the zoo as my ipob brothers call Nigeria.

H

R.I.P lt Col Abu Ali may God give his family the fortitude to bear the huge loss.
may he keep his young family.

“But I tell you what, there are only two night vision goggles to an entire battalion. In some cases, you will even find a battalion that has no single night vision goggle.”

....but how much is a night goggle that all Nigerian soldiers can't have one each, especially those on battle field.

Too Bad