Former Nigerian Army Chief Narrowly Escapes Death In Boko Haram Ambush.
Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd), Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff, narrowly escaped death on Friday, 6 June 2025, when his convoy came under heavy gunfire in Borno State, a region long plagued by insurgency. The attack, believed to have been orchestrated by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, has reignited concerns about the persistent security challenges in Nigeria’s northeast.
According to reports, the ambush occurred as Lt. Gen. Buratai’s convoy travelled through a volatile area in Borno State, a hotspot for militant activity. The assailants, armed with heavy weaponry, opened fire on the convoy, prompting a fierce response from the accompanying military personnel. Sources indicate that the troops escorting the retired general gallantly returned fire, managing to repel the attackers and secure the safety of Lt. Gen. Buratai.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno State, confirmed the incident during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, 8 June 2025. He highlighted the severity of the assault, noting that the insurgents targeted high-value military equipment, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPVs), tanks, and machine guns. “We are in a dire security situation,” Senator Ndume stated, underscoring the broader implications of the attack. “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.”
The Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement detailing casualties or the full extent of the damage. However, the incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by Boko Haram and its splinter factions, such as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), despite years of military efforts to quell the insurgency in the region.
Lt. Gen. Buratai, who served as Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021, played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram during his tenure. His leadership saw significant progress in reclaiming territories from the militants, though the group and its offshoots continue to launch sporadic attacks, particularly in remote and strategic locations. Now serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Buratai’s survival of this ambush is a stark reminder of the persistent dangers faced by both civilians and high-profile figures in the region.
Security analysts have described the attack as a “symbolic strike,” suggesting that targeting a figure like Buratai, closely associated with Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts, is intended to demonstrate the militants’ enduring capability and reach. “This was not just an assault on a town or a convoy; it was a message,” said Nafiu Ali, a conflict analyst based in Maiduguri. “Boko Haram and ISWAP are signalling that they remain a force to be reckoned with, even in areas considered relatively secure.”
Borno State, the epicentre of the insurgency for over 15 years, has witnessed a resurgence of attacks in 2025, with militants employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, including armed drones and roadside explosives. Governor Babagana Zulum has repeatedly warned of the insurgents’ renewed momentum, calling for enhanced military and technological efforts to curb the violence.
The ambush on Lt. Gen. Buratai’s convoy comes amid a series of recent attacks in Borno and neighbouring states, raising fears of a broader jihadist comeback. The Nigerian military, stretched thin by multiple security challenges across the country—including banditry in the northwest and farmer-herder clashes in the central belt—faces mounting pressure to adapt and respond effectively.
As the nation grapples with this latest incident, questions linger about the long-term strategy to restore peace and stability to Borno State and the wider northeast. For now, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai’s narrow escape serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of security in the region and the resilience required to confront it.
