Former Army Chief Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd) has reportedly survived multiple life-threatening incidents during his military career. Among the notable episodes was an ambush by Boko Haram militants in August 2015 near Faljari village, Borno State, where his convoy was attacked but managed to repel the insurgents with several casualties on the attackers’ side. Buratai escaped unharmed.
In December 2015, during clashes with the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria in Zaria, Kaduna State, Buratai narrowly avoided harm amid violent confrontations. He later credited his survival to divine intervention.
Additionally, in November 2018, a serious car crash involving a vehicle in his convoy occurred near Jere Town, Kaduna, although Buratai was not in the vehicle at the time. His aide-de-camp was injured in the accident.
These incidents underscore the risks Buratai faced throughout his tenure as Chief of Army Staff, highlighting both the dangerous operational environment and his resilience. Buratai has acknowledged the professionalism of his troops as a critical factor in his survival during these perilous moments.