Contrary to reports circulating online claiming that former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd), narrowly escaped death in a gunfire ambush by suspected insurgents in Borno State, sources close to the retired army general have debunked the story as entirely false and misleading.
Some media outlets had on Sunday quoted Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, as saying that Buratai’s convoy was attacked near a frontline military base in Borno State, allegedly by Boko Haram fighters.
However, credible sources within Buratai’s close circle have confirmed that the former army chief has not been to Borno State in recent times and has been in Abuja, where he marked the Sallah celebration peacefully with his family.
“There is a fake news going viral online; that General Buratai’s convoy was attacked in Buratai. It’s a lie. The man is safe and sound in his residence, and has not been in Buratai for a while,” Dr MS Abubakar, a renowned security expert and close ally of Buratai posted on his verified Facebook page on Monday morning.
“There is no truth whatsoever to the reports. General Buratai has been in Abuja and never traveled to Borno during the period in question. He is safe and in good health,” a family source who pleaded anonymity also said.
Another associate of the former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin described the reports as “baseless and sensational,” urging the public to disregard them and warning against the politicization of national security matters.
“It is unfortunate that some media platforms published such a serious claim without verifying the facts. General Buratai remains a respected elder statesman who deserves better treatment from the press,” the associate said.
As of Monday morning, there has been no official statement from the Nigerian Army confirming any such attack involving Buratai or his convoy.
The misleading report has sparked reactions on social media, with many Nigerians calling for responsible journalism and caution in the dissemination of sensitive information, especially in a region grappling with insurgency.
