Muhammad Abu Ali

Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali (15 August 1980 – 4 November 2016) was a Nigerian Army officer who commanded the Army's 272 Tank Battalion. He was a prince to the people of Bassa Nge in Kogi state. He was killed in an ambush by Boko Haram in Malam Fatori, Borno State.

Early life and education Ali graduated from Command Secondary School, Jos Plateau State Nigeria, in 1997 and was admitted to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1998 as a member of the 50th Regular Course. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army Armour Corps in September 2003. His father was Brigadier General Abu Ali, now the Etsu of Bassa-Nge Kingdom in Kogi State. His younger brother Lieutenant Abubakar Abu Ali is currently serving in the Nigerian Army.

Career He participated in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), United Missions in Darfur (UNMO), and received an accelerated promotion from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel, receiving a gallantry award by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai in September 2015.

Death Ali along with six other soldiers were ambushed and killed by Boko Haram on 4 November 2016. He was buried on 7 November 2016, at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.