Senator Ali Ndume, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, has revealed that the convoy of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), came under attack by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
Ndume disclosed the incident during a media briefing in Abuja, stressing the growing boldness of terrorist groups in the North-East, despite repeated military offensives.
“Even the convoy of General Buratai was attacked along the Maiduguri-Gamboru road. It shows these criminals are still operating with impunity,” Ndume said.
Although details of the attack remain sketchy, the senator noted that the former army chief was not injured in the ambush, and security personnel repelled the assailants.
The incident reportedly occurred near Dikwa Local Government Area, along a route notorious for insurgent activity. The area has witnessed repeated attacks on civilians, aid workers, and military convoys.
Lt. Gen. Buratai served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021 and is currently Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.
Ndume called for a more aggressive and sustained military campaign against insurgents in the Lake Chad region and Sambisa Forest, which remain strongholds for Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters.
“We must not relax. These attacks show that the war is not yet over. We need intelligence-driven operations and better equipment for our troops,” he said.
The Nigerian Army has yet to release an official statement regarding the attack.
