By John Moses
Nigeria’s former Army Chief and ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (retired), has labelled as “malicious fiction” recent online reports suggesting he was attacked by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
The denial was issued via a statement on Monday by his long-time aide and fellow military veteran, Brig Gen Sani Usman (retired), who described the rumours as “baseless and mischievous.”
Usman clarified that General Buratai had spent the recent Eid festivities in Abuja, and had not travelled to Borno or any other volatile region. “He has remained within the Federal Capital Territory since then. At no point was he attacked or endangered,” he said.
Accusing the originators of the story of intentionally spreading disinformation, Usman stated: “These are not just lies — they are dangerous and reflect a deliberate campaign to mislead the public.”
The statement also thanked Nigerians at home and abroad who expressed concern following the false reports, praising their loyalty and faith in Buratai’s legacy.
“It is unfortunate that, in an era of real national security challenges, some choose to invent stories rather than inform responsibly. However, the truth always finds its way through,” Usman concluded.
General Buratai served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021, during some of the most intense phases of the country’s fight against insurgency in the northeast.
