Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali CON (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.

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.

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.

Chief of Army Staff award for exceptional bravery:

Ali received the Chief of Army Staff award in Gamboru for exceptional bravery from Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai on 9 September 2015, for his role in the fight against Boko Haram.

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.

References:

Akinrujomu, Akinyemi. "Pres. Buhari salutes late Army commander Lt. Col. Abu Ali". Naij .com. Retrieved 20 December 2016.

Ahmadu-Suka, Maryam. "Abu Ali: Family recounts life of gallant hero". Daily Trust. Retrieved 20 December 2016.

"Bauchi State Governor, Muhammed Abubakar Pays Condolence Visit To Lt.Col Muhammed Ali's Family". Daily Nigeria News. Retrieved 20 December 2016.

Yusuf, Omotayo. "Muhammad Abu Ali received decoration from Buratai". Naij .com. Retrieved 25 December 2016.

Erunke & Omonobi. "Lt Col Abu Ali". Vanguard. Retrieved 25 December 2016.