Former Army Boss, Buratai Narrowly Escapes Death As Boko Haram Attacks His Convoy in Borno Says Senator Ndume
By: Olufemi Orunsola
An alarming dimension to the growing spate of insecurity in Nigeria has been revealed by a lawmaker representing Borno, Senator Ali Ndume, who asserted that former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), reportedly escaped death on Friday after suspected Boko Haram insurgents engaged his convoy in a heavy gunfire attack in Borno State.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA OTN News reports that the shocking disclosure was made by the Senator during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
Senator Ndume,who raised concerns about the escalating insecurity in the Northern region revealed that the retired army general and his accompanying soldiers were ambushed near a frontline military base.
The lawmaker further disclosed that a fierce exchange of gunfire ensued between the attackers and the troops escorting Buratai.
In his words, “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 managed to destroy several military assets.”
According to Ndume, the attackers reportedly targeted high-value equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPVs), tanks, and machine guns.
He noted that the insurgents not only destroy these assets but also cart away weaponry and equipment, adding that violent conflict, banditry, and sabotage have extended across the nation.
He emphasized that, “The situation in Borno is deteriorating rapidly. Insurgents now move freely, torching and stealing military equipment. It is becoming a full-blown crisis.
“All six geopolitical zones are experiencing security challenges to varying degrees.
“Even in the South-South, we are grappling with economic sabotage like oil theft. At this point, the South-West appears to be the only relatively safe region.”
OTN News recalls that Borno and Benue have been under intense insecurity attacks in recent times with the Benue Governor, Hyacinth Alia, threatening to release the names of political sponsors of violent attacks in the state allegedly located in Abuja, the seat of power.
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