Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), narrowly escaped an ambush on Friday when his convoy came under intense gunfire in Borno State. The attack, reportedly carried out by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, has heightened concerns over the deteriorating security in the region.
The incident was disclosed by Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television. He revealed that Buratai and his escort team were ambushed near a frontline military base.
Though casualty figures remain unconfirmed, Ndume stated that a heavy exchange of fire ensued between the attackers and Buratai’s security team.
“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,” he said.
The attackers reportedly targeted and destroyed high-value military equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPVs), tanks, and mounted machine guns. In some cases, the insurgents not only destroyed the equipment but also seized weapons and supplies.
Ndume warned that the security situation in Borno is rapidly worsening, with insurgents now moving freely and attacking military assets at will. “It is becoming a full-blown crisis,” he added.
The senator also offered a grim assessment of Nigeria’s overall security environment, stating that all six geopolitical zones are facing varying degrees of unrest. He cited rising banditry, violent conflict, and economic sabotage, particularly oil theft in the South-South, as symptoms of a broader national emergency.
“At this point, the South-West appears to be the only relatively safe region,” Ndume said.
The attack on Buratai comes amid renewed calls for a sweeping reform of Nigeria’s security architecture, especially in the North-East where Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to launch deadly attacks.
Buratai served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021 and played a key role in the country’s counterinsurgency operations. Since his retirement, he has remained an influential voice in national security affairs.
