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Tukur Yusuf Buratai
20th Chief of Army Staff (Nigeria) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Tukur Yusufu Buratai (ⓘ) 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]
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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.
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Military career
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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]
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Major Achievements as Chief of Army Staff
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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.
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Dates of promotion
Buratai's promotion dates are[6]
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
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