FG Names New Shooting Range In Sambisa Forest After Slain Military Officer. Photos

The Federal Government has named the newly established Nigerian Army shooting range at the Sambisa forest after the late Lt.-Col. Abu Ali. Abu Ali, who was the commander of an army formation at Mallam Fatori in Borno east, died in a battle on Nov. 4, 2016, when Boko Haram terrorists attempted to invade and take the town....

President Muhammadu Buhari who also paid tribute to the gallant men and women who have paid the supreme price in the fight against insurgency and criminal elements across the country said this yesterday shortly after declaring open the 2017 Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship ( NASAC ) at Sambisa Forest in Borno State.


The commander in chief of the Nigerian Armed forces who was represented by the Minister of Defence , Brig Gen Munsur Dan Ali ( rtd) said the championship is a showcase of the clear defeat and degradation of the Boko Haram terrorist group with the destruction of camp zero in the Sambisa Forest.

Meanwhile, beginning from 2017, December 22 of every year is to be marked as SAMBISA MEMORIAL DAY which will be public holiday in Borno State for the purpose of remembering victims of Boko Haram insurgents, the victory recorded by the Nigerian Military, and the remembrance of fallen soldiers and volunteers who sacrificed their lives fighting Boko Haram since 2009 in different parts of Borno State.

Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima announced this on Monday inside the Sambisa Forest at the opening of the Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship which is currently holding at the Forest that used to be taken over from insurgents. Shettima said December 22 was chosen for the annual public holiday because it was on December 22, 2016 that the Nigerian Armed Forces took over the Sambisa Forest from Boko Haram insurgents after a tough battle.