Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly, has clarified that reports suggesting former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), was attacked in Borno State were misleading.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the former Senate Leader explained that his earlier remarks, made during a Channels Television interview, were misinterpreted. He said the “Buratai” he referred to was not the retired general, but the town of Buratai in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
Ndume had appeared on Politics Today on Sunday, where he raised concerns about growing insecurity in the region. During the discussion, he referenced a recent attack on Buratai town, stating that insurgents engaged in a heavy gunfight with troops stationed at a front operations base last Friday.
“We are in a dire security situation,” Ndume said. “Just two days ago, Buratai was attacked at the front operations base in Borno. Some soldiers responded gallantly, but the insurgents managed to destroy several military assets.”
He further disclosed that the attackers targeted critical military equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), tanks, and machine guns, and also made away with some of the weaponry.
Amid public concern following the broadcast, Ndume clarified on Monday that his reference to “Buratai” was geographical, not personal. “It was Buratai town in Borno State that was attacked, not the person of the erstwhile Chief of Army Staff,” he stated.
Coincidentally, the former army chief, who held office from 2015 to 2021 and played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts, hails from the same Buratai town. Since his retirement, Gen. Buratai has remained an influential voice in national security matters.
