Tukur Buratai Narrowly Escapes Death in Deadly Borno Ambush as Nigeria’s Security Crisis Deepens
In a harrowing episode that underscores Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retired), narrowly escaped death in Borno State after his convoy came under heavy attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents. The incident, which occurred last Friday near a frontline military base, is the latest in a string of violent encounters that continue to plague the country’s North-East region—a region long ravaged by insurgency and instability.
The news of the near-fatal ambush was confirmed by Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly. Speaking during a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the lawmaker painted a grim picture of the ongoing crisis and provided chilling details about the confrontation. According to Ndume, the retired general and his military escort faced a fierce ambush, but were able to mount a determined response that ultimately thwarted what could have been a tragic outcome.
The Ambush: A Targeted Attack on a Symbol of Military Authority
General Buratai, a key figure in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021, was traveling with a contingent of soldiers when the insurgents launched their assault. The attackers, believed to be operatives of Boko Haram or its splinter faction ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province), unleashed a barrage of gunfire on Buratai’s convoy in what appeared to be a calculated strike. The confrontation took place near a military outpost in Borno—a state that has long served as the epicenter of jihadist violence in Nigeria.
Though the exact coordinates of the attack remain classified for security reasons, sources suggest the insurgents had been monitoring the general’s movements and were intent on striking a high-profile target. The encounter reportedly escalated into a violent firefight that lasted several minutes. Despite the intensity of the exchange, Buratai and his team were able to repel the insurgents, though not without significant losses in military hardware.
Destruction and Looting of Military Assets
In his televised interview, Senator Ndume disclosed that the attackers managed to destroy several critical military assets during the assault. Among the equipment targeted were Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPVs), heavily armored tanks, and various forms of heavy-duty machine guns. These military-grade assets, crucial for frontline operations, were either destroyed or carted away by the insurgents.
“This attack was not just an ordinary skirmish,” Ndume said, his voice laced with concern. “It was a direct attempt to demoralize our armed forces and dismantle our capacity to respond effectively. The insurgents are not only attacking; they are also stealing our equipment and turning them against us.”
The lawmaker emphasized that this kind of loss is both demoralizing and dangerous, as it allows non-state actors to further strengthen their operational capabilities. In the past, captured military weapons have been used to launch even more devastating attacks on both civilian populations and security forces.
An Escalating Security Nightmare in the North-East
The attack on Buratai comes at a time when security analysts have repeatedly warned of a resurgence in insurgent activities across the North-East. Despite over a decade of military operations under various codenames—from Operation Lafiya Dole to Operation Hadin Kai—the insurgency continues to thrive, morphing in strategy and growing in boldness.
Ndume did not mince words about the severity of the current security situation in Borno State. He revealed that insurgents now move with alarming ease across vast territories, torching villages, ambushing military convoys, and looting installations at will.
“In some parts of Borno, these terrorists are no longer hiding. They operate with impunity, establishing their own checkpoints, collecting levies from residents, and even enforcing their own twisted form of law,” he stated.
The senator noted that while Buratai’s team exhibited gallantry during the ambush, the fact that such a high-ranking figure could come under such a serious threat only highlights how dire the situation has become.
Broader Implications: Nigeria’s Security Architecture Under Fire
The audacious nature of the attack has triggered fresh calls for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s security strategy. Many critics argue that the current architecture is ill-equipped to respond to the complex and evolving threats posed by groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP. The insurgency, which began in 2009, has since morphed into a multi-pronged insurgency involving terror cells, bandits, and criminal networks spread across various parts of Nigeria.
Senator Ndume underscored this point by noting that all six geopolitical zones in the country are currently facing one form of insecurity or another. “The North-East has terrorism, the North-West is battling with banditry, the North-Central faces herder-farmer clashes, the South-East is contending with secessionist militancy, and the South-South is gripped by oil theft and economic sabotage,” he explained. “Only the South-West appears relatively stable, but even there, pockets of violence and criminality still exist.”
The Symbolism of the Attack
Lt. Gen. Buratai is more than just a retired military officer; he is a symbol of Nigeria’s decade-long counterinsurgency campaign. As Chief of Army Staff under former President Muhammadu Buhari, he was instrumental in the relocation of military command operations to Maiduguri and the push to recapture territories under insurgent control. Though his tenure was not without controversy, he remains a respected figure in military and political circles.
For insurgents to target him, some analysts argue, is a psychological tactic designed to shake public confidence in the state’s ability to protect even its most revered defenders. “When high-ranking officials become targets, it sends a message of invincibility to the insurgents and vulnerability to the rest of us,” said a retired military analyst familiar with security operations in the North-East.
The Road Ahead: A Nation at Crossroads
The attack on Buratai has renewed focus on the urgent need for reform. Security experts are calling for a shift from conventional military operations to more intelligence-driven warfare. They argue that Nigeria’s security agencies need to leverage technology, including satellite surveillance, drone reconnaissance, and artificial intelligence, to predict and prevent attacks rather than react to them.
Additionally, there is a growing consensus on the need to address the root causes of insurgency—poverty, unemployment, ideological radicalization, and lack of education. Without a comprehensive counterinsurgency approach that combines military, economic, and psychological strategies, the cycle of violence is likely to persist.
A Wake-Up Call for Political Leaders
Ndume’s revelations have not only sparked outrage but have also led to renewed demands for accountability and decisive action from political leaders. Many Nigerians are asking hard questions: How did insurgents gain access to such sophisticated weaponry? Why are they still able to operate so freely despite years of military engagement? Where is the intelligence community in all of this?
The senator also hinted at the possibility of insider sabotage within the military, a theory that has long circulated in security circles. “We must investigate how these insurgents are getting their information,” he warned. “There may be moles within our ranks who are undermining our efforts.”
Continued Threat to National Unity
Perhaps the most alarming takeaway from this development is the continued threat to Nigeria’s unity and sovereignty. When terrorist groups can ambush a high-profile figure like Buratai, it raises questions about the state’s ability to protect the ordinary citizen. The psychological impact of such attacks reverberates far beyond the battleground, weakening national morale and feeding public distrust in government institutions.
From Soldier to Target: The Changing Role of Buratai
Since his retirement as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd) has kept a relatively low profile. However, he continues to wield influence in national defense and security discussions. Buratai has served in diplomatic roles and advisory positions, often contributing to conversations around counterinsurgency and national security policy.
Despite stepping away from active military duty, Buratai remains closely linked to Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism. His recent ambush in Borno highlights a chilling reality—no one, not even former top military commanders, is safe from the escalating threat of insurgency.
The attack is a stark reminder that Nigeria’s security crisis has reached a dangerous level. It underscores the growing boldness of terrorist groups, who now target even those once at the forefront of the battle against them. Buratai’s transition from army chief to attempted assassination target reflects the shifting dynamics of Nigeria’s security challenges and the urgent need for stronger, more proactive measures.
As the nation grapples with deepening instability, Buratai’s experience serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action. The threats have evolved—and so must Nigeria’s response.
A Nation at a Dangerous Crossroads
The recent attempt on the life of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai highlights more than just a military concern—it reflects the deepening crisis in Nigeria’s security architecture. As insurgents grow increasingly bold and the armed forces appear stretched thin, the urgency for a national security overhaul has never been more critical.
Nigeria must urgently rethink its strategy. Strengthening the military is essential, but it must go hand-in-hand with rebuilding intelligence networks and restoring trust in vulnerable communities that have felt neglected for years. Simply deploying troops is no longer enough.
Equally important is the need to reframe the fight against terrorism. This is not just a battlefield issue—it is a battle for the soul of the nation. The government must win the hearts and minds of its citizens, offering them not just protection but hope, opportunity, and inclusion.
Until Nigeria makes these fundamental shifts—investing in security, intelligence, and community engagement—incidents like the attack on Buratai will remain a grim reality. The nation stands at a tipping point, and decisive action is needed to prevent a further slide into chaos.