Boko Haram attacks Buratai, ex-army chief in Borno
Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff, narrowly escaped death after suspected Boko Haram fighters ambushed his convoy during a visit to his hometown in Borno State
The attack occurred in the early hours of Friday near a frontline military base along the Buni Yadi–Biu Road, sending shockwaves across Biu Local Government Area.
Buratai, who led Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts from 2015 to 2021, was in the region with a military escort when the insurgents opened fire, triggering a fierce gun battle.
The attack was confirmed by Ali Ndume, Senator, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today aired by Channels Television on Sunday, Ndume painted a grim picture of the deteriorating security landscape in Borno and beyond.
“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”, Ndume disclosed.
According to the senator, the assailants targeted military equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs), tanks, and heavy-duty machine guns.
“In some cases, they looted weaponry and sensitive equipment before retreating under the cover of darkness”, he added.
Simultaneously, insurgents launched a coordinated night assault on Buratai town, the former Army chief’s birthplace in what analysts describe as a symbolic strike.
Gunfire erupted around 12:30 a.m., jolting residents from their sleep as militants stormed the town’s eastern flank, prompting chaos and fear among civilians.
“The terrorists entered the town and opened fire indiscriminately. Our troops responded swiftly, and the exchange of fire lasted for hours,” a senior military official told reporters on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing operations.
Eyewitnesses who described a terrifying night said: “We haven’t slept. The gunfire started around midnight. We’re all terrified. This is the hometown of a former Army Chief. If this can happen here, where is safe?”
The Nigerian Army confirmed the incident through Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for Operation HADIN KAI.
In a statement, Captain Kovangiya said troops successfully repelled the coordinated attack and prevented insurgents from breaching their positions.
“The terrorists tried to deceive and overwhelm our troops by approaching from multiple directions.
“However, our forces responded with precision. Close air support from the Air Component was instrumental in neutralising several terrorists”, the statement read.
The Army reported recovering a cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and heavy machine guns. The full extent of damage to military infrastructure is still being assessed.
Security experts view the incident as a calculated attempt by Boko Haram to assert relevance and demonstrate reach.
Targeting Buratai’s convoy and hometown isn’t random. It’s a bold signal that the group retains operational strength, even in areas believed to be under military control”, said Nafiu Ali, a conflict analyst based in Maiduguri.
While Boko Haram has suffered notable losses in recent years, especially following the death of its leader, Abubakar Shekau, in 2021, its splinter factions, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), continue to execute deadly raids in remote and strategic locations.
Ndume, who has long been vocal about insecurity in the region, lamented the broader state of national security.
“We are in a dire situation. Insurgents now move freely, torching and stealing military equipment. It’s becoming a full-blown crisis”, he warned.
He added that insecurity is no longer a regional issue, pointing to the spread of violence across all six geopolitical zones.
Even in the South-South, oil theft and sabotage are rampant. Today, only the South-West can be considered relatively safe”, he added.
