Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has sounded a strong alarm over Nigeria’s deteriorating security landscape, warning that violent incidents are intensifying across all six geopolitical zones. His concerns come amid widespread public confusion over reports suggesting that former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd) narrowly escaped a terrorist ambush.
Speaking to clarify the misinformation, Senator Ndume explained that it was Buratai town in Borno State—not the retired Army General himself—that came under attack by insurgents.
“The situation is getting terrible in Borno. I was referring to Buratai town, not Gen. Buratai himself,” Ndume stated. “The town came under attack in front of the military operations base. Though the soldiers stood their ground, the insurgents managed to burn down some of our assets.”
Among the military assets destroyed in the assault were Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), tanks, and other heavy-duty equipment—further highlighting the vulnerability of security infrastructure in Nigeria’s North-East.
Senator Ndume also took issue with the inaccurate media reporting, urging journalists to verify sensitive security details before publication.
“I am surprised that the town Buratai could be misconstrued as the person of Gen. Buratai, who incidentally hails from the town,” he said. “The misreporting is misleading and damaging.”
In a related development, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd) has also refuted the reports claiming he was personally attacked. In a statement issued by his spokesperson and former Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman (rtd), the retired military leader described the claims as “mischievous and utterly false.”
“The former Army Chief was not attacked in any way,” Usman clarified. “The report is fabricated, irresponsible, and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
Both Ndume and Buratai’s camp stressed the national security implications of spreading false information, especially involving high-profile individuals.
“In times like this, the media must rise to the responsibility of promoting accurate reporting to avoid public panic and reputational harm,” the Senator warned.
