Buratai Speaks on Insurgency Fight, Stewardship, and Arms Procurement Controversy

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (Rtd.), has opened up about his tenure in the fight against insurgency, defending his leadership while acknowledging lingering challenges in Nigeria’s security landscape. Speaking on Arise News this morning, Buratai addressed critical issues ranging from intelligence gathering to allegations of mismanaged military funds, while also highlighting key achievements under his command.

The War Against Insurgency: Did Buratai Deliver?

Buratai, who served as Nigeria’s Army Chief from 2015 to 2021, affirmed that significant progress was made in reclaiming lost territories from Boko Haram and strengthening the Nigerian Army.

“Before 2015, Boko Haram had defined a territory of roughly 120,000 square kilometers. They had cut off several parts of the North-East, including Michika, Madagali, and the borders with Chad and Cameroon. By the time I left office, we had reclaimed all of these,” he stated.

Under his leadership, the Nigerian Army successfully cleared insurgents from multiple local government areas in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, restoring governance in places that were previously under terrorist control. The military also reopened major highways that had been inaccessible for years due to Boko Haram attacks, such as the Maiduguri-Bama road and the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway.

Buratai emphasized that a major focus of his strategy was intelligence-led operations, particularly between 2019 and 2020.

“We had a strategy to track insurgents’ logistics, from arms suppliers to food and fuel distributors. If intelligence operations had continued at the same intensity, more progress would have been made,” he stated.

However, when questioned about the military’s use of intelligence to identify terrorist financiers, Buratai clarified that such responsibilities fall under agencies like the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). He acknowledged the synergy between the army and NFIU but reiterated that financial tracking of terrorist sponsors is primarily a task for civilian intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

Transforming the Nigerian Army
Beyond counterinsurgency, Buratai spearheaded several modernization initiatives within the Nigerian Army.

Some of his key achievements include:

Expansion and Reorganization: He established new military commands and formations, including the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command and the Army Aviation Corps, aimed at improving rapid response to threats.

Acquisition of Modern Equipment: Under his leadership, the Army procured new armored vehicles, artillery systems, and combat drones to enhance operational effectiveness.

Infrastructural Development: Several military barracks and training facilities were rehabilitated, improving the welfare of soldiers. The Army University Biu was also established to strengthen research and professional military education.

Increased Local Production of Military Hardware: Buratai encouraged indigenous defense manufacturing, leading to the production of mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles and small arms in collaboration with local defense industries.

The Arms Procurement Scandal: A “False and Malicious” Allegation?

Responding to controversies surrounding alleged mismanagement of funds meant for arms procurement, Buratai dismissed these claims as “false and malicious.”

“There was no single fund given to me directly. Every budgetary release was properly accounted for. The $1 billion security fund that has been the subject of speculation was handled by the Ministry of Defence, not the Army,” he asserted.

He further revealed that all military procurement and spending were duly reported to appropriate authorities and that records exist to verify the legitimacy of transactions. He challenged critics to conduct proper investigations rather than rely on “politically motivated” narratives.

Buratai’s Legacy and the Road Ahead

While Buratai’s tenure remains a subject of debate, his supporters argue that he laid the foundation for modernizing the Nigerian Army and restoring territorial control from insurgents. However, critics maintain that insurgency and insecurity remain significant challenges, despite the gains recorded under his leadership.

As Nigeria continues to battle terrorism, banditry, and other security threats, the question remains: Has the country built upon Buratai’s military reforms and superlative achievement , or is it still fighting the same battles with different leadership?