Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), narrowly escaped death on Friday when his convoy was attacked by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
This incident has intensified concerns about the region’s escalating insecurity.
The attack was revealed by Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday evening. According to Ndume, Buratai and his escorting soldiers were ambushed near a frontline military base.
While specific casualty numbers are unclear, a fierce exchange of gunfire reportedly ensued.
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Ndume stated, “We are in a dire security situation. Just two days ago, Buratai was attacked at the front operations base in Borno. His team responded gallantly, but the insurgents managed to destroy several military assets.”
The attackers reportedly targeted high-value equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPVs), tanks, and machine guns. Ndume added that insurgents not only destroy these assets but also steal weaponry and equipment.
“The situation in Borno is deteriorating rapidly. Insurgents now move freely, torching and stealing military equipment. It is becoming a full-blown crisis,” he lamented.
Ndume also painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s broader security landscape, noting that violent conflict, banditry, and sabotage have spread nationwide.
He observed that “All six geopolitical zones are experiencing security challenges to varying degrees. Even in the South-South, we are grappling with economic sabotage like oil theft. At this point, the South-West appears to be the only relatively safe region.”
The attack on Buratai comes amidst renewed calls for a more aggressive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, especially in the troubled North-East, where Boko Haram and ISWAP factions continue to operate with deadly impunity.
Buratai served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021, playing a central role in the country’s counterinsurgency campaign.3
Since his retirement, he has remained an influential figure in security circles.
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