Contrary to recent claims circulating in the media, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), was never attacked or in danger during a Boko Haram assault in Borno State.
This was clarified by Zagazola Makama, a respected Security Analyst and Counter Insurgency Expert on Lake Chad, West Africa.
Makama firmly stated, “There was never any attack on the retired general, contrary to statements made by Senator Ali Ndume and recklessly amplified by several media outlets without a shred of verification.”
The actual incident involved a coordinated three-pronged attack by ISWAP terrorists on military facilities in Buratai town, Biu Local Government Area, on Friday.
The targets were the Battalion Headquarters, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Command Secondary School — none of which involved Lt.-Gen. Buratai or any convoy linked to him.
Makama emphasized, “Let us be clear: Lt.-Gen. Buratai was nowhere near the ambush, and at no point was his life in danger. This is not a matter of semantics, it’s a matter of truth versus dangerous misinformation.”
He further explained how Nigerian troops, supported by Nigerian Air Force Super Tucano jets, successfully repelled the attack. “During the encounter, two ISWAP gun trucks were destroyed, while a third was recovered during follow-up operations. Several terrorists were killed, including over 20 in airstrikes during their retreat through Mangari.”
The false narrative about Buratai’s “near-death” experience was attributed to irresponsible political statements and hasty media reporting.
Makama criticized the spread of such misinformation: “Because some politicians spoke irresponsibly, and certain media platforms ran with the story without basic verification, an unforgivable dereliction of journalistic duty, especially in a region as sensitive as the North East.”
He concluded by calling on the media to uphold responsible journalism: “The media owes the public and the Armed Forces of Nigeria the duty of responsible reporting, not alarmist fiction wrapped in sensational headlines. The security situation in Buratai is under control, and troops continue to dominate the area to prevent any further attacks.”
