society
A Personal Reflection on Service, Sacrifice, and Unfounded Attacks
Defending Service: Why the Attacks on Buratai Are Unfair and Unfounded
By Nazir Ribadu
Sometimes, watching public figures get dragged through the mud tells you less about them and more about the state of our public discourse.
As someone who studies Nigeria’s security landscape, not from a news desk but through the dry, factual lens of academic and operational history, the recent allegations against former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai (rtd.) hit a particular nerve. They don’t just seem wrong, they feel like a profound injustice against a man who gave decades of his life to this country.
Let’s be clear: I’ve never met General Buratai. I have no personal connection to him. My “relationship” with his career is through after-action reports, strategy papers, and the timelines of battles fought in our Northeast. And from that vantage point, the idea that he was somehow in cahoots with the very terrorists he was tasked with destroying isn’t just illogical; it’s an insult to the painful, gritty reality of that war.
Think about the sheer human contradiction of that claim. This is the officer who, for years, bore the immense weight of command during one of our nation’s most brutal conflicts. His days and nights were consumed by the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP.
As a Security and Intelligence Analyst, we studied the tactical shifts under his command, the difficult pivot to the “Super Camp” strategy, the push to retake and hold territory. These weren’t abstract concepts; they were decisions that affected the lives of thousands of soldiers and civilians.
To suggest that the man at the helm of that struggle was secretly funding the enemy doesn’t add up. It collapses under the weight of its own absurdity.
Where is the proof?
In our world, serious allegations are backed by evidence, arrests, indictments, formal investigations. But here, there’s only silence from every official quarter: the EFCC, the DSS, our financial intelligence units. Nothing!!
Instead, the entire case seems to be built on whispers and “anonymous sources” funneled through an outlet, Sahara Reporters, with a troubling track record.
And this is where it becomes personal. We’ve seen this pattern before. Just recently, the Plateau State government had to publicly condemn a false report about a bomb blast in Jos. A story that caused real panic.
Also, Ekiti State officials have detailed how their financial data was misrepresented to create a false narrative. They had to condemn the report made by Sahara Reporters.
When an outlet repeatedly gets things so wrong, often with consequences that hurt communities and reputations, it loses the benefit of the doubt. It starts to look less like journalism and more like a weapon.
Is it so hard to believe that a man who held one of the toughest jobs in Nigeria, who inevitably had to make decisions that upset powerful people, is now a target for those seeking “a pound of flesh”?
What gets lost in this noise is the human story of service. This was a 40-year career that culminated in the hottest of seats.
Whatever your political views, the man served. He faced a monstrous enemy and, according to the military’s own records, achieved hard-fought gains: territories were reclaimed, key terrorist commanders were neutralized.
In a sane society, we would at least be able to separate honest critique of strategy from vile character assassination. We should be debating his legacy, not defending his basic loyalty.
That’s what saddens me the most. We have a habit of tearing down our own, especially once they leave the stage.
Instead of a nuanced conversation about security policy, we get baseless scandals. General Buratai is a case study, literally, I use his tenure in some of my classes, in military leadership under extreme pressure. He deserves to have that record discussed based on facts, not vapor.
So, from one citizen to another, I find this whole episode tragic. If we disagree with a leader’s methods, let’s argue about that. But to spray poison on a man’s entire life’s work with no evidence? That doesn’t make us clever investigators. It makes us ingrate.
General Buratai has every right to demand a retraction, not just for his own name, but to push back against a culture of lies that cheapens the very concept of sacrifice for this nation.
Somewhere underneath the general’s uniform and the headlines is a human being who served Nigeria. That, at the very least, deserves our basic fairness.
Nazir Ribadu
PhD Security Studies and International Relations.
Security and Intelligence Analyst.
NAWOJ: SEKINAT, CHARITY GETS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists,(NAWOJ), Ogun State Chapter Executives has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Chairman NAWOJ SEKINAT Salam and the Financial Secretary, Charity James, saying that, their leadership reflect the ideal and objectives of NAWOJ.
This was revealed in a communique issued at an Emergency meeting of the Executive held at the NUJ State Council, Iwe-Iroyin in Abeokuta.
The vote of confidence on the Leadership of NAWOJ was unanimously signed by all the five executive members that attended the meeting with the vice chairperson taking apology for official engagement outside the state capital.
According to the communique ” Consequently, NAWOJ Ogun State Chapter, reaffirms it’s unwavering support and confidence in the Chairperson and the Financial Secretary, Sekinat Salam and Charity James respectively, Urge them to continue in their commitment to purposeful leadership in the best interest of the association and the society at large”.
Speaking briefly with Journalists after the emergency Executive meeting, the Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Woman Journalists (NAWOJ), Com. Sekinat Salam, said the meeting was necessary as the news of her suspension was laughable and insulting because it is like a pot calling a kettle black in this case, saying that the Leadership of the State Council, Com. Wale Olanrewaju has no local standing to suspend her or any executive member, even he cannot be a judge in his own case.
According to her” The Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State led by Wale Olanrewaju has always been misusing power without recourse to the constitution of this noble Union, hence has no local standing to suspend me or any executive member “.
She said only the Central Working Committee (CWC) has the constitutional rights to sanction or suspend any members found wanting after due process has been followed.
While calling on members to stay calm, Com. Sekinat Salam assured members of positive representation of NAWOJ at both the State and National level, adding the success recorded under her administration cannot be overemphasized.
She therefore called on the National leadership of NUJ to critically look into the matter, either by setting up independent committee to investigate the issues and resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
Adron Homes Chairman Congratulates Oyo State on 50 Years of Progress
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Adron Homes and Properties Limited, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has congratulated the Government and people of Oyo State as the state marks its 50th anniversary, describing the occasion as a celebration of resilience, cultural pride, and sustained progress.
He noted that since its creation, Oyo State has remained a strong contributor to Nigeria’s socio-economic and cultural development, emerging as a hub of commerce, education, and innovation.
According to him, the Golden Jubilee offers a moment for reflection and renewed commitment by government, private sector players, traditional institutions, and citizens toward building a more inclusive and prosperous state.
Aare Emmanuelking commended the state’s ongoing transformation through investments in infrastructure, economic expansion, and human capital development, adding that sustainable growth is deliberate and must remain purpose-driven.
He also praised the leadership of the current administration while acknowledging the contributions of past leaders whose efforts laid the foundation for today’s Oyo State.
Reaffirming Adron Homes’ commitment to national development, he described Oyo State as a land of opportunity. He wished the state continued peace and prosperity, expressing confidence that the next fifty years will bring even greater achievements for the Pace Setter State and its people.
TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION CONDOLES WITH BIU EMIRATE OVER TRAGIC ATTACK
In a profound expression of sorrow, the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation has extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the entire people of Biu Emirate, Borno State, following the recent tragic attack attributed to Boko Haram. This devastating assault, which occurred at a work site in northeastern Nigeria, claimed the lives of dozens, including brave soldiers committed to protecting the nation.
In a statement released to the press and signed by the Chairman of the foundation, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, the Grand Patron of the Foundation, His Excellency Amb. Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai CFR (Rtd), former Chief of Army Staff, described the incident as “one too many senseless, barbaric, and ruthless displays of inhumanity.” His Excellency emphasized the heartbreaking impact of such attacks on innocent, hardworking citizens striving to make a positive difference in their communities.
The Grand Patron praised the swift and decisive response of military personnel during this critical time, underscoring their brave commitment to safeguarding the nation. He called upon them to maintain this momentum, commending their courage and sacrifice in the face of adversity. “May Almighty Allah forgive their souls and grant them Aljannah Firdouse,” he remarked, encouraging the nation to honor their spirit of sacrifice as they rally together to rebuild and restore hope across the region.
In his statement, Gen. Buratai highlighted the importance of collective action in overcoming the challenges posed by insecurity, urging concerned citizens to increase their efforts in fostering a virile community that future generations can cherish. “Together, we can surmount these troubles,” he asserted, calling on all patriotic leaders and citizens to unite in the fight against violence and insecurity.
The TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote peace, security, unity, and prosperity. As the foundation extends its condolences to the bereaved, it also calls upon all segments of society to collaborate in creating a better and safer future. May Allah guide and protect the nation and lead it toward enduring peace. Amen.
-
celebrity radar - gossips6 months agoWhy Babangida’s Hilltop Home Became Nigeria’s Political “Mecca”
-
society6 months agoPower is a Loan, Not a Possession: The Sacred Duty of Planting People
-
Business6 months agoBatsumi Travel CEO Lisa Sebogodi Wins Prestigious Africa Travel 100 Women Award
-
news6 months agoTHE APPOINTMENT OF WASIU AYINDE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS AN AMBASSADOR SOUNDS EMBARRASSING