In a swift and authoritative rebuttal, renowned counterinsurgency expert and frontline security analyst, Zagazola Makama, has dismantled recent sensationalist reports alleging that former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd) narrowly escaped death in an ambush by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
Taking to his official X handle, Makama set the record straight with what he labeled a “fact check” — decisively declaring: “There was no attack on former COAS Buratai. Period.”
Contrary to viral reports fanned by media outlets and an unverified claim from Senator Ali Ndume, the truth is far more precise — and far less dramatic.
According to Zagazola Makama, Buratai town in Biu Local Government Area did come under a coordinated three-pronged attack by fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Friday. However, the targets of the assault were not the retired general, but rather key military and institutional locations:
The Battalion Headquarters
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution
The Command Secondary School
At no point was Lt.-Gen. Buratai present in the area, nor was any convoy associated with him involved in the encounter.
> “This is not a question of semantics. It is a question of truth versus dangerous misinformation,” Makama stated emphatically.
Makama further clarified that ground troops, backed by Nigerian Air Force Super Tucano jets, swiftly countered the ISWAP assault with decisive force.
Two ISWAP gun trucks were obliterated.
A third vehicle was seized during mopping-up operations.
Over 20 terrorists were eliminated during airstrikes as they attempted to retreat through Mangari.
Thanks to the Nigerian military’s rapid response, the attack was repelled, and Buratai town remains under firm control.
Zagazola Makama didn’t mince words in calling out the reckless reporting that followed:
> “Because some politicians spoke irresponsibly, and certain media platforms ran with the story without basic verification, the country was fed a cocktail of lies and hysteria — an unforgivable betrayal of journalistic duty.”
The misinformation, Makama said, not only endangered the credibility of the media but also risked inflaming tensions in an already fragile region. He called on journalists and public commentators to uphold the values of truth, integrity, and verification — especially in issues involving national security.
Final Word: Truth Over Sensation
Makama’s message to the public, press, and political class is clear and unambiguous:
> “There was NO attack on Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai. Stop twisting the truth for cheap headlines.”
The security situation in Buratai is stable, and Nigerian troops continue to dominate the area to ensure peace and security.
As the fight against terrorism continues, one truth must remain sacred: facts matter.
Tags: #Buratai #ISWAP #ZagazolaMakama #BornoAttack #FakeNews #NigerianArmy #NationalSecurity #NorthEastNigeria
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