Abubakar Umar Names Forgotten Military Heroes Of June 12 Struggle

Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Retd), a prominent voice in Nigeria’s democratic journey, has dedicated his Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) award to dozens of fellow military officers who, according to him, played vital but uncelebrated roles in the struggle to uphold the June 12, 1993, presidential election and the mandate of Chief MKO Abiola.

In a powerful reflection released after President Bola Tinubu announced the national honours list, Umar said the recognition should not be his alone.

“When the President called to inform me of his decision to magnanimously confer on me the CFR… my first reaction was: why only me, and not all those unsung heroes—those officers and men who actively participated in that struggle, risking their careers and even lives?” he wrote.

Umar, who served as a top-ranking officer at the Nigerian Army’s Armoured Corps during the pro-democracy agitation, said the award is more meaningful if seen as a collective honour for those who stood against tyranny from within the ranks of the military.

“These patriots must be recognised if only to commend their contributions to the emergence of the current democratic dispensation,” he said.

In an extraordinary gesture of transparency and tribute, Col. Umar listed the names of over 40 officers—many of whom went on to hold senior or traditional leadership positions—who he said stood shoulder to shoulder with him during the turbulent fight for democracy:

Col MA Garba (his deputy at the Armoured Corps Centre and School)

Lt Col Lawal Jaafaru Isa

Lt Col UF Ahmed

Lt Col MS Dasuki

Lt Col ML Gwadabe

Lt Col J. Temlong

Lt Col Musa Shehu

Lt Col Chris Eze

Lt Col HM Dzarma

Lt Col Isa Jibrin

Lt Col JOS Oshanupin

Lt Col A. Oloruntoba (now Kabiyesi Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)

Lt Col Moke

Lt Col Happy Bulus

Lt Col Olagunsoye Oyinlola

Col J. Okai

Col E. Ndubueze

Lt Col Yakubu Muazu

Lt Col Yahaya Abubakar (now Etsu Nupe)

Major Saad Abubakar (now Sultan of Sokoto)

Major Abba Maimalari

Major Jamil Tahir

Major Buzugbe

Major LP Aprezi

Major MK Yake

Major J. Dawah

Major Suleiman Wali

Major Dauda Komo

Major Lucky Torrie

Major JS Zaruwa

Major M. Sumaye

Major Sani Bawa

Major Ndaliman

Major Ahmed

Major M. Bawa

Lt Col JB Ahmadu

Capt Junaid Bindawa

Capt Lar

“These men, many of them still unknown to the public, chose justice over comfort, and conscience over compromise,” Umar said, adding that while he had been publicly celebrated, many of them had remained anonymous patriots.

He emphasized that their solidarity was evidenced by the fact that Chief Abiola reportedly secured more than 80% of votes cast by members of the Armed Forces during the June 12 election—at a time when such dissent within the military structure came with serious consequences.

As he accepted the award on their behalf, Umar made a strong call for democratic integrity, warning against sycophancy and the cult of personality now prevalent in Nigerian politics.

“It is the reason for the arrogance and vanity we see in our leaders. Mr President must lead a war against sycophancy in all its forms—including the growing trend of naming and renaming public facilities after sitting Presidents and Governors,” he warned.

Referencing recent statements by the Senate President suggesting President Tinubu would win 99.9% of votes in 2027, Umar urged restraint: “Even allowing for the fact that this Senate President is widely known for his humorous incitement, Mr President will do well to shun such oracles.”

In closing, Umar reminded the country that democracy is a collective inheritance earned with sacrifice. “This award will be doubly meaningful if the democracy we all fought for delivers the real dividends,” he said.