Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd), narrowly escaped an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State on Friday. The incident, which occurred near a military forward operations base, was confirmed by Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, during an interview.

According to Senator Ndume, the retired military chief's convoy encountered heavy gunfire, leading to a fierce exchange between the attackers and Buratai's military escort. While casualty numbers remain unconfirmed, the ambush resulted in the destruction of several military assets, including high-grade equipment such as Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), tanks, and mounted machine guns. The insurgents also reportedly looted weapons and other military supplies.

Senator Ndume expressed grave concern over the escalating insecurity in Borno and the wider North-East region, describing the situation as dire and nearing a crisis point. He 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 still managed to destroy several military assets.” Ndume highlighted that insurgents now appear to operate with alarming freedom, destroying and looting military infrastructure.

The senator further emphasized that insecurity is not limited to the North-East, pointing out that all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria are grappling with various forms of violence, including banditry and economic sabotage. “Even in the South-South, oil theft is crippling our economy. Right now, the South-West appears to be the only relatively safe region,” Ndume remarked.

This attack on Lt. Gen. Buratai, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021 and was a central figure in the nation's fight against insurgency, occurs amidst increasing calls for the Nigerian government to overhaul its security architecture. This is particularly urged for the insurgency-plagued North-East, where Boko Haram and ISWAP factions continue their destructive activities. Buratai remains an influential voice in matters of security and defense.