Thread by @jassjegs

People don't really talk about the late ABU-ALI enough.

Without him probably there might not a peaceful Nigeria today.

Because if the Boko haram Terrorists had taken over Maiduguri Metropole that would have been the end of it all.

He came to the frontline when /1

Virtue the whole of Maiduguri was living in fear and those who are even supposed to protect lives and properties aren't sure of what will be their faith in the second or Minute.

As big as Maiduguri the raid started from smaller locations down to Battalions and later /2

Brigades.

They are well trained and with proper intelligent report.

They know the terrain and all roads leading to various locations.

Unlike we (Soldiers) we hardly locate so many places due to the terrain.

If you mistakenly use Google where it's even almost /3

Impossible, because if you plot map for instance from Malam-Fatori going to Maiduguri you might find yourself in Sudan 😁

There's no mobile network to even do such, even if there's network don't ever try it😁

As big as Maiduguri the only 2 locations remaining for /4

The BHT to capture was Biu and Konduga, every other BNs and BDEs were all under BHT control.

The task was almost an impossible one when we came back as SF, as our first task was to go into Sambisa which wasn't successful.

Virtually everyone was living in fear around the /5

Whole of Maiduguri. Even Maimalari barracks which was the the HQ of 7 Div. Funny how they are almost set to attack the barracks the very day we started our advance to recapture both Baga and Monguno.

Nobody was ready to risk it, as motivation wasn't coming from anywhere and /6

The only thing keeping the top commanders was strict orders,vibe and insha'Allah everything will be fine.

Then we are set for one of the deadliest yif operations when ABU-ALI came, that very day we heard they've postponed election for 6 weeks.

We saw some /7

Equipment trooping in to town. Then the king of all came and nobody knew him but with his address how can a man like this be courageous and doesn't even know where we are going.

We know the terrain and this task is almost impossible, we've seen it all.

But we /8

Shouldn't be a doubting Thomas because we've seen so many officers come with much talks and less actions.

But with the tanks we saw and that T-72 we think this can be a game changer.

But how can a officer be this soft spoken and innocent face, are you sure they did not /9

Bring one cjtf member to coke and deceive us? NO a civilian can't be operating tank.

We took the risk, from his address.

Gentlemen please be rest assured this operation shall be a success, just do 5% of the job for me and I will execute the remaining 95%.

Majority /10

Doubted it, normal talks as usual.

But we shouldn't doubt it, we are set to move.

He got inside his tank, started the engine well sound and all that, I checked into my Mrap, mounted my eagle, let me be seeing what's ahead as Abu-Ali was already about 100M ahead.

Firing /11

Started from the very point we moved, If you're sure to Maiduguri you will know the terrorists are already close to town, we started gun duels from Tungushe.

And it did not stop until we get to Monguno serious firing and rocket launchers.

But trust me ABU-ALI did /12

98% of the job and we did just 2 percent, because we gave his tank covering fire, by left and right flanking with arrow head movement.

He was ahead.

Monguno recaptured after so many obstacles, and funny how they were busy using the whole barracks facility including the /13

Hospital. Foot soldiers saw their casualties in the hospital because trust they never believe anybody can overrun them to reclaim those places.

The ones that escaped went straight to Baga to beef others up there.

Now the task was to move ahead to Baga another /14

Bloody battle, what I saw that very day my mouth can't even say it out as they can comfortably attack the whole of Maiduguri and nothing will stop them except jet and it won't be possible because everyone will mixed and it will be extremely almost impossible.

Now we jetted /15

Off to Baga, enroute Baga the biggest of firing started, for several Hours nobody was able to identify anything as the whole places became dark.

Our biggest shocker was when we couldn't hear Abu-Ali anymore and we thought okay this is all, we will all die here.

Firing was /16

Ongoing until Abu-Ali regained consciousness and within few minutes everything was cleared.

Moved to Baga same problem but everywhere because clear and reaching Baga it was as if weve recaptured the whole of Nigeria.

The sigh of relief from everyone and within few /17

Minutes, dignitaries trooping in with chopper the COAS and the CDS came in with so much smiles and we saw the CinC wow, first time seeing the president.

Address and all that, jubilation here and there.

Now visitors left and the news came in for another operation to go /18

And recapture Kangarwa, Kangarwa of all places? It's well, we shall triumph.

One thing about Abu-Ali is, he doesn't feel remorse going into any battle he just believe he will go and conquer that is the belief he instilled in us, fearless and ruthless.

Nigeria is our /19

Fatherland and we shall always conquer.

And that was where BHT nicknamed Abu-Ali and his tank DODO. Their worst nightmare.

Kangarwa battle, story for another day.

Abu-Ali should be immortalised.

#ThankASoldier