‘We Are Okay, Insurgency Not Overwhelming’ – Says Ex-Army Chief Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), has said that the ongoing insurgency in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East, is not overwhelming military troops.

Buratai, however, acknowledged existing operational challenges, including manpower shortages and the need for more advanced equipment.

The ex-army chief made the remarks on Friday during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, where he spoke on the fight against insurgency and banditry.

“I don’t see that the insurgency is somehow overwhelming the troops. We are okay. Now we have more enablers in terms of drones,” he said.

Buratai explained that while the military has recorded improvements through the deployment of modern tools, there is still a pressing need for additional platforms and operational support systems.

“A lot of platforms have been injected but the military still needs more of such platforms and the enablers,” he added.

Highlighting one of the major operational hurdles, the former army chief pointed to the vast landmass of the North-East, which he said contributes to the dispersal of troops and complicates military operations.

“If you look at the landmass of the Northeast only, it’s quite enormous. This is what we have always talked about even during our time,” he noted.

“If you look at it, the troops are so dispersed. Manpower and equipment are challenges,” Buratai said.