How Boko Haram attacked ex-Army chief Buratai’s convoy in Borno – Ndume
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), narrowly escaped an attack on his convoy on Friday in Borno State. The assault, suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram insurgents, highlights the worsening insecurity in the region.
The incident was disclosed by Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television.
According to Ndume, Buratai and his convoy were ambushed near a frontline military base. Although the exact details of casualties remain unclear, Ndume confirmed a fierce exchange of gunfire between Buratai’s team and the attackers.
“We are in a dire security situation. Just two days ago, Buratai was attacked at the front operations base in Borno,” Ndume stated.
The senator noted that Buratai’s team responded gallantly but added that the insurgents managed to destroy several military assets during the confrontation.
Reports indicate that the attackers targeted high-value equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPVs), tanks, and machine guns. Ndume further revealed that insurgents often destroy or seize military equipment during such attacks.
“The situation in Borno is deteriorating rapidly. Insurgents now move freely, torching and stealing military equipment. It is becoming a full-blown crisis,” he said.
Ndume also highlighted the broader security challenges Nigeria faces, noting that all six geopolitical zones are grappling with varying degrees of violence, banditry, and sabotage.
“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,” he added.
The attack on Buratai comes amid growing demands for an overhaul of Nigeria’s security infrastructure, particularly in the North-East, where Boko Haram and ISWAP factions continue to operate with deadly impunity.
Buratai, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021, played a key role in the country’s counterinsurgency efforts. Despite his retirement, he remains an influential figure in security circles.