The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has promoted Bashir Umar from the rank of Aircraftman to Corporal, a position that would have taken him over seven years of uninterrupted military service to reach.

The Airforce Personnel who returned the sum of 37,000 Euros to one Alhaji Ahmad, owner of the lost money at the Hajj Camp Market in Kano last week, earned him the accelerated promotion.

A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said the act of integrity drew the attention of the President Muhammadu Buhari, who described it as “uncommon, patriotic and exemplary.”

He also added that Corporal Umar was decorated by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who presented the Airman with a letter of commendation.

“The special promotion of Aircraftman Bashir to the rank of Corporal, apart from serving as a reward for good conduct, is also to serve as motivation to other airmen and airwomen to aspire for such elevation. Aircraftman Bashir has earned the rank of Corporal by good conduct and as part of our desire to reward uncommon good deeds and excellence, we have chosen to have him decorated in front of his friends, peers, and family”, the CAS added.

Commodore Daramola revealed that an aircraft was specially detailed to airlift Corporal Umar from Kano to Abuja to attend the decoration and award ceremony.

Corporal Umar’s promotion is two steps forward after he enlisted into the NAF on 1 August 2016. (Channels TV)