Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has clarified that an earlier report attributed to him regarding an attack on former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai (retd) in Borno State was misrepresented. Ndume, who was featured as a guest during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, had raised concerns about the escalating insecurity in the region. He had stated that “We are in a dire security situation. 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.”
However, the comment was misconstrued that the former army chief, who bears the name of the town, was attacked by the terrorists. Incidentally, the former service chief also hails from the same Buratai town in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. Buratai served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021 and was a central figure in the country’s counterinsurgency campaign.
Dismissing the claims of attack in a statement by his spokesman, Brig Gen Sani Usman (retd), in Abuja on Monday, Buratai said he was not attacked by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno. Usman described the purported report of an attack on the general as “mischievous and utterly false.” According to him, the former army chief was not attacked in any way contrary to what has been falsely reported by some online media outlets. He said: “To avoid doubt, he celebrated the Eid festivities peacefully in Abuja in the company of family, friends, and well-wishers, and he has remained within the Federal Capital Territory since then.”
Clarifying his comment in a statement on Monday, Ndume said the “Buratai” he referred to was a town in Biu Local Government Area of the state and not the ex-army chief who shares the same surname with the place. “It was Buratai town in Borno State that was attacked, not the person of the erstwhile Chief of Army Staff,” he clarified. This clarification comes as a relief to many who were concerned about the safety of the former army chief.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has destroyed a major terrorist enclave and training camp in Bukar Meram, situated on the southern flank of the Lake Chad region in Borno State. The operation, conducted on Sunday, was executed under Operation Hadin Kai, following credible intelligence on terrorist activities in the area. According to a statement on Monday by the service’s spokesperson, Air Comdr Ehinmen Ejodame, the interdiction mission also led to the neutralisation of several terrorists, destruction of weapons storage sites, supply vehicles, and makeshift shelters used by the insurgents.
The targeted enclave was identified as a key operational base for insurgent training and logistics, serving as both a recruitment hub and a launchpad for coordinated attacks in surrounding communities. The Air Force’s success during the mission highlighted its commitment to combating terrorism and maintaining peace across the region. The operation is a significant blow to the terrorist group and demonstrates the military’s determination to eradicate the scourge of terrorism in the country.
The clarification by Ndume and the denial by Buratai have put to rest the speculation surrounding the attack. The Nigerian Air Force’s successful operation against the terrorist enclave is a welcome development in the fight against terrorism. The government and security agencies must continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of lives and property across the country. The recent developments are a testament to the military’s commitment to combating terrorism and maintaining peace in the region.
