Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (Rtd.), has defended his tenure in the fight against insurgency, acknowledging Nigeria’s lingering security challenges while highlighting key achievements under his leadership.
Speaking on Arise News on Tuesday, Buratai addressed issues ranging from intelligence operations to allegations of mismanaged military funds.
Buratai, who led the Nigerian Army from 2015 to 2021, claimed significant progress was made in reclaiming territories from Boko Haram and strengthening the military.
“Before 2015, Boko Haram controlled roughly 120,000 square kilometers, cutting off several parts of the North-East. By the time I left office, we had reclaimed all of these areas,” he said.
He noted that under his leadership, the military cleared insurgents from local government areas in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, restored governance, and reopened critical highways like the Maiduguri-Bama road and Damaturu-Maiduguri highway.
Buratai emphasized that intelligence-led operations between 2019 and 2020 were crucial in tracking insurgents’ logistics, including arms, food, and fuel supplies.
He asserted that had intelligence operations continued at the same intensity, more progress would have been made.
Regarding financial intelligence, he clarified that tracking terrorist financiers falls under the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), with the military maintaining synergy with civilian intelligence agencies.
On military acquisitions, Buratai detailed the procurement of armored vehicles, artillery systems, and combat drones, as well as the rehabilitation of barracks and the establishment of the Army University Biu to enhance military education.
Addressing allegations of mismanaged defense funds, Buratai dismissed the claims as “false and malicious,” stating that all budgetary allocations were properly accounted for.
He clarified that the controversial $1 billion security fund was handled by the Ministry of Defence, not the Army.
“All military procurements and spending were duly reported, and records exist to verify transactions,” he stated, urging critics to conduct proper investigations rather than rely on politically motivated narratives.
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