Meet Maj Gen Ibrahim Sallau Ali, Force Commander Multinational Joint Task Force N’Djamena
EARLY LIFE AND MILITARY CAREER
Ibrahim Sallau Ali was born on 16 November 1970 in Nasarawa Kano State, Nigeria, to the family of Late Alhaji Sallau Ali and Late HajiyaAishatu Ibrahim. He hails from the Municipal Local Government Area of Kano State. He started his educational pursuit in 1974, at Lebanon Primary School Kano, before proceeding to Saint Thomas Secondary School in 1980 also in Kano State. In 1986, he gained admission into Kaduna Polytechnic in Kaduna State, to study Town Planning. Thereafter, he left to commence his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member ofthe 39th Regular Course in 1987. In 1991, Ibrahim obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was nominated in 1992, to complete his cadet training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom. He was a member of the Standard Military Course 922 at the Royal Military Academy. At the end of his course, he was awarded the Silver Bugle for being the best athlete among all the British and foreign cadets during the course. Ibrahim was commissioned second lieutenant into the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps in April 1993.
COURSES ATTENDED
- During the course of Ibrahim’s career, he attended several military courses. They include:
- Young Officers’ Course Armour
- Basic Range Management Course
- Armour Platoon Commanders’ Course
- Tank Weapon Instructors’ Course
- Company Commanders’ Course Infantry
- Company Commanders’ Course Armour
- Senior Staff Course
- African Contingency Operations and Training Assistance Coursel. Unit Commanders’ Course, Nowshera, Pakistan
- Peace Support Operations Military Observers’ Course
- Defence Management Course GhanaArmed Forces Commandand Staff College Teshie, Accra
- Conflict and Crises Management Course Ghana Armed Forces Commandand Staff College Teshie, Accra
- Defence Management Course Ghana Armed Forces Commandand Staff College Teshie, Accra
- National Defence Course
- Among the 12 graded courses attended by Major General Ali, he was the best in order of merit in 7 and second best in 2 of the courses. During his National Defence Course in 2014, he was awarded the Inspector General of Police prize for writing the best research paper on Internal Security Operations.
KEY APPOINTMENTS HELD
Major General Ali has served in several units where he held various appointments. They include:
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- General Officer Commanding 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN form
- Theatre Commnader Joint Task Force (Neast East) Operation HADRIN KAI
- Currently, Major General Ali is the Force Commander of Multinational Joint Task Force N’Djamena.
OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Major General Ali has the following operational experience to his credit:
- Operation LIBERTY in Liberia from 1994 to 1998.
- Operation SAND STORM/TIGER TAIL in Sierra Leone in 1997 where he was wounded in action.
- Operation FLUSH OUT 1 Multinational Joint Task Force in Baga Borno State from 1998 to 2000.
- Operation RESTORE ORDER III, BOYONA, ZAMAN LAFIYA and LAFIYA DOLE in Yobe State where he was wounded in action once again.
- Operation HADIN KAI in Maiduguri.
- Presently serving in MNJTF.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
- In addition to Ibrahim’s Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography secured at the Nigerian Defence Academy, he has a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from the University of Ghana.
HONOURS AND AWARDS
Major General Ali has the following honours and awards:
- Pass Staff Course Dagger Dagger (++).
- Two Purple Heart Awards.
- Foreign Training Military Assistance.
- Grand Service Staff.
- Fellow National Defence College.
- Command Medal, Field Command Medal, Field Command Medal of Honour.
- Nigerian Army Innovation and Invention Medal.
MARITAL STATUS AND HOBBIES
Ibrahim is married to Mrs Hauwa Sa’id Muhammad and blessed with children. His hobbies include reading, watching films, playing golf and reflecting about life.
