Tukur Yusuf Buratai

Lieutenant general
Tukur Yusufu Buratai
CFR psc(+) NAM GSS ndc (BD)
Buratai in 2018
Chief of Army Staff
In office
16 July 2015 – 28 January 2021
Preceded byLt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah
Succeeded byLt-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru
Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force
In office
May 2014 – July 2015
Preceded byBrig-Gen. E. Ransome-Kuti
Succeeded byMaj-Gen. Iliya Abbah
Personal details
Born (1960-11-24) 24 November 1960
Alma materNigerian Defence Academy
University of Maiduguri
Military service
Allegiance Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Army
Years of service1981 – 2021
Rank Lieutenant general
CommandsMultinational Joint Task Force
Battles/warsBoko Haram Insurgency War
Conflict in the Niger Delta

Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Listenⓘ) CFR psc(+) NAM GSS ndc (BD) (born 24 November 1960) is a retired Nigerian army lieutenant general, former Chief of Army Staff[1] (appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2015),[2] and Nigeria's Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.[3] He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1983 and has had multiple command, administrative, and instructional appointments.[4]

Background and education

General Buratai is from Buratai town, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. His father, Yusufu Buratai, was a non commissioned officer in the Royal West African Frontier Force and World War II veteran who fought in Burma.[5] General Buratai had his primary education at Buratai town and thereafter gained admission to Government Teachers College Potiskum, Yobe State, where he graduated with distinction.

Military career

Lt Gen TY Buratai hoists Nigerian flag in Gamboru Ngala saying this is in line with the vision and the mission of the Nigerian Army of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation.
Lt. General T.Y. Buratai in Sambisa Forest, 2017

In January 1981, Buratai attended the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna as a member of Burma battalion of the 29 Regular Combatant Course (29 RC) where he was given the prestigious appointment of Cadet Sergeant Major (CSM). On successful completion of his Officer Cadet training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 17 December 1983 into the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army.[6] Buratai has a degree in history from University of Maiduguri and a degree in philosophy from Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka.[7] He is also a graduate of National Defence College, Mirpur, Bangladesh.[8]

He served in 26 Amphibious Battalion Elele, Port Harcourt, Military Observer at the United Nations Verification Mission II in Angola; later 26 Guards Battalion, Lagos; Lagos Garrison Command Camp. Lt Gen Buratai also served as administrative officer at the State House, Abuja; 82 Motorized Battalion; 81 Battalion, Bakassi Peninsular; Army Headquarters Garrison, Abuja before he became a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, earning the prestigious "Pass Staff College Dagger" (psc(+)) appellation. [6]

Subsequently, he served at AHQ Dept of Army Policy and Plans, Abuja; Assistant Chief of Staff Administrative Matters, HQ Infantry Centre Jaji. Additionally, he was again at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College as Director Dept of Land Warfare from where he was appointed Commander 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, doubling as Commander, Sector 2 JTF Operation PULO SHIELD. Upon promotion to the rank of Major General, he was appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji; thereafter he was appointed Director of Procurement DHQ before being appointed Force Commander of the newly reconstituted Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTNF) under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Benin Republic, an appointment he held till he became Chief of Army Staff.[6]

His operational deployments include Military Observer at the United Nations Verification Mission II in Angola, Op HARMONY IV in the Bakassi Peninsular, OP MESA, Op PULO SHIELD, Op SAFE CONDUCT, MNJTF, Op ZAMAN LAFIYA, and Op LAFIYA DOLE. He was appointed Chief of Army Staff on 13 July 2015.[2]

Tukur Buratai was rumoured to have been replaced by President Buhari following the promotion of Maj.-Gen. L.O Adeosun to Lieutenant General,[9] making him of the same rank with Buratai. But the report was immediately debunked by the Army.[10] General Tukur Buratai was eventually removed by President Buhari on January 26, 2021 after widespread calls for the removal of service chiefs due to the worsening security situation in the country during their time of Service.[11]

Major Achievements as Chief of Army Staff

Following his appointment as Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusufu Buratai oversaw various military operations targeting Boko Haram insurgents in northeastern Nigeria. Within the first few months of his tenure, Nigerian troops regained control of areas such as Gamboru Ngala, which had previously been under insurgent control.[12][13][14][15][16]

On 25 July 2017, Buratai approved the promotion of 6,199 soldiers involved in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations.[17]

Buratai also initiated and commissioned various infrastructure and welfare-related projects for the Nigerian Army. These included the establishment of the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches, residential buildings in locations such as Jaji and Khobe Cantonment (Plateau State), and water and guesthouse renovations.[18][19]

During his tenure, several institutions and initiatives were launched, including:

  • Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies, Biu
  • Command Secondary School, Kebbi
  • Nigerian Army Aviation Hangar, Jaji
  • Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command
  • Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company
  • Army War College Nigeria
  • Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Museum
  • Nigerian Army Officers Wives Hospital
  • Army-owned housing estates (e.g., Tinapa and Otukpo Post Housing Developments)
  • Army Agricultural Business Enterprise Limited
  • Various Special Forces and Motorcycle Battalions
  • Indigenous Infantry Patrol Vehicle and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) systems
  • Establishment of the 6th and 8th Divisions
  • Nigerian Language Training Institute

[20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35]

Publications

Tukur Yusufu Buratai is associated with a number of publications, including works on leadership, military experience, and fictional narratives:

  • The Legend of Buratai (2020) – a children's book that presents a fictionalized story inspired by his career.[36]
  • Thought and Principles on Leadership (2022) – a work reflecting on leadership values and personal principles.[37]
  • Nigeria’s War on Terror – a publication discussing Nigeria’s counterinsurgency strategy and security operations.[38]
  • Makintakururi: The Disaster That Never Was – details currently unavailable.
  • In the Mind of the General – details currently unavailable.

Dates of promotion

Buratai's promotion dates are[6]

Year Insignia Rank
December 1983 Second lieutenant (Commissioned)
1985 Lieutenant
1989 Captain
1994 Major
1998 Lieutenant colonel
2004 Colonel
2009 Brigadier general
2012 Major general
August 2015 Lieutenant general[39]

Awards

Lt Gen Buratai's honors and awards include:

  • Forces Service Star (FSS)
  • Meritorious Service Star (MSS)
  • Distinguished Service Star (DSS)
  • Grand Service Star (GSS).
  • Pass Staff Course Dagger (psc(+))
  • Field Command Medal
  • Training Support Medal
  • United Nations Medal for Angolan Verification Medal II
  • 2022 – Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR)[40]

References

  1. ^ "Nigerian Army Chronicle of Command". Nigerian Army. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  2. ^ a b George, Agba. "Major General TY Buratai New Chief Of Army Staff". Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  3. ^ Olokor, Friday (22 June 2021). "Buratai posted to Benin, Olonisakin, Cameroon". The Punch. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  4. ^ "ANALYSIS: Buratai: A legacy blotted by massacres, extrajudicial killings". 3 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  5. ^ Abubakar, Shehu. "COAS Lt.-Gen. Buratai's dad speaks...I didn't ask my son to join the army'". Daily Trust. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d "Major General Tukur Yusufu Buratai". Nigerian Army. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  7. ^ Somorin, Kunle. "Lt – Gen Tukur Buratai: The Conqueror Of Boko Haram". Leadership. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  8. ^ Akinrujomu, Akinyemi. "Bangladeshi chief of army staff visits Buratai in Abuja (Photos)". Legit.ng. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Buhari promotes Adeosun to lieutenant general". Fellow Press. 9 July 2019. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  10. ^ "Nigerian Army speaks on Buhari replacing Chief of Staff". Fellow Press. 10 July 2019. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  11. ^ Ayitogo, Nasir (26 January 2021). "Buhari fires Buratai, other Service Chiefs, names replacements". Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Nigerian president replaces military top brass". aljazeera.com. 14 July 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  13. ^ "Nigeria military recaptures border town from Boko Haram". dailytimesng.com. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Nigerian troops cross border after Boko Haram clashes". bbc.com. 25 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  15. ^ "Nigerian army blockades Boko Haram base". aljazeera.com. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  16. ^ "Nigeria mass abduction seen as copycat attack". wsj.com. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  17. ^ "Operation Lafiya Dole: Buratai grants special promotion to 6,199 soldiers". dailytrust.com. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  18. ^ "Buratai inspects multiple projects in Jos Cantonment". guardian.ng. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Buratai says Nigerian Army Farm and Ranches Limited will reduce unemployment, insecurity". guardian.ng. 29 December 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  20. ^ "Nigerian Army commissions smart factory building and accommodation for its personnel". thewhistler.ng. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  21. ^ "Nigerian army creates new division in South-South". pmnewsnigeria.com. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  22. ^ "Buratai launches banking scheme for army in Taraba". dailytrust.com. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  23. ^ "Buratai visits troops of Operation Lafiya Dole". guardian.ng. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  24. ^ "Baba Buhari emerges best participant at Army War College". dailypost.ng. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  25. ^ "Nigerian Army formalises collaboration with firm on food security". nannews.ng. 7 January 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  26. ^ "Nigerian Army Vehicles Manufacturing Company". theeagleonline.com.ng. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  27. ^ "Buratai still focused on victory over Boko Haram". thecable.ng. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  28. ^ "Army budgets 3.350 billion naira for new aviation unit, drone command centre". dailytrust.com. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  29. ^ "Nigerian Army's Cyber Warfare Command begins operation". vanguardngr.com. 12 August 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  30. ^ "Insurgency: Army unveils Nigerian-made anti-ambush protected vehicles". businessday.ng. 25 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  31. ^ "Buratai left legacy of service transformation in the army – Analyst". vanguardngr.com. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  32. ^ "Why Army established farms, ranches – Major General CG Musa". dailytrust.com. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  33. ^ "TY Buratai donates 40 books to encourage reading culture among school children". thesun.ng. 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  34. ^ "Why 6 Division was created in Niger Delta – GOC". punchng.com. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  35. ^ "Nigerian Army commissions smart factory building and accommodation for its personnel". thewhistler.ng. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  36. ^ "The Legend of Buratai: The children's book and animation that reveals Nigeria's former army chief as the lion killer". sunrise.ng. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  37. ^ "Book Review: Principles for greatness from the life of General Tukur Buratai for youths". guardian.ng. 25 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  38. ^ "A blueprint for tomorrow's leaders: How General Buratai's life lessons are guiding Nigerian youth to greatness". thisdaylive.com. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  39. ^ Agba, George. "As Service Chiefs Get Promotion: PMB Gives Marching Orders On Boko Haram". Leadership Nigeria. Archived from the original on 20 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  40. ^ "FULL LIST: 2022 National Honours Award Recipients The Nation Newspaper". The Nation. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
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