FG Honours Army Chief, Senior Officers, Veterans at AFCRD 2026 Awards Night
The Federal Government has honoured serving personnel and veterans of the Nigerian Army for gallantry, sacrifice, innovation, exemplary leadership and outstanding contributions to national development.
The honours were conferred at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) Gala Night held on Tuesday, January 13, at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
Among the award recipients was the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, who received the Service and Sacrifice Award in recognition of his selfless service and decisive leadership in counter-insurgency and internal security operations across multiple theatres.
Also honoured with the Service and Sacrifice Award were the Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalami Enesi Abubakar, and former General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Lagos, Major General Faruk Mijinyawa, for their exceptional operational leadership and dedication to duty.
Brigadier General Musa Uba received the Gallantry Award for displaying exceptional courage and leading troops from the front during counter-insurgency operations in Borno State, while Brigadier General Usman Ahmad was presented with the Mission Success Award for his critical role in repelling repeated terrorist attacks and sustaining operational effectiveness under intense pressure.
In the innovation category, Colonel Ibrahim Mohammed Gero was awarded the Innovation Award for designing and deploying a redesigned ballistic gunboat that significantly enhanced operational effectiveness in support of Operation DELTA SAFE.
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Late Colonel B. Umaru was posthumously honoured with the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Excellence Award for his outstanding intelligence leadership during Operation HADIN KAI. Similarly, late Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ebisingha Alari received the Fallen Heroes Award for his gallantry and pivotal role in major counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
In the veterans’ category, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), was honoured with the Legacy (Service and Sacrifice) Award for the reforms and expansion of operational capacity recorded during his tenure from 2015 to 2021, as well as his subsequent diplomatic service as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.
Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd) received the Sentinel of Freedom Award for his contributions to strategic military communication, peacekeeping operations and sustained advocacy for veterans’ welfare, national security and civic values.
Major General Mohammed Sadiq Aliyu (rtd) was presented with the Phoenix Award for resilience and exceptional leadership, having continued to render distinguished service despite being wounded in action during counter-insurgency operations.
Colonel Olubunmi Oyekola (rtd) received the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for successfully translating military discipline and logistics expertise into a thriving catering and hospitality enterprise, while Colonel Bartholomew Chukwuemeka Ogbonna (rtd) was honoured with the Community Champion Award for his commitment to grassroots development, healthcare support, water projects and youth mobilisation for service in the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
Master Warrant Officer Manu Garba was also awarded the Distinguished Citizen Service Medal in recognition of his 35 years of meritorious service in the Nigerian Army and his sustained post-retirement contributions to community development.
The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is an annual event dedicated to honouring fallen heroes, recognising serving personnel and celebrating veterans whose courage, professionalism and sacrifice continue to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty, unity and national resilience.
By PRNigeria
