- Safiu Kehinde
Brig. Gen. Sani Usman (Rtd), spokesman to former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has dismissed the report that the ex-COAS was attacked by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno.
Usman, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, described the purported report of attack on the general as “mischievous and utterly false.”
According to reports, Borno South Senatorial District, Senator Ali Ndume, had during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday evening claimed that the retired army general and his accompanying soldiers were ambushed near a frontline military base.
The lawmaker disclosed that a fierce exchange of gunfire ensued between the attackers and the troops escorting Buratai.
“We are in a dire security situation. Just two days ago, Buratai was attacked at the front operations base in Borno.
“His team responded gallantly, but the insurgents managed to destroy several military assets,” he said.
As against the claim, Usman said the former army chief was not attacked in any way contrary to what has been falsely reported by some online media outlets.
“For the avoidance of doubt, he celebrated the Eid festivities peacefully in Abuja in the company of family, friends, and well-wishers, has remained within the Federal Capital Territory since then.
“This baseless rumour is a product of the reckless imagination of the purveyors of fake news, individuals whose sole aim is to malign him, spread fear, confusion and misinformation.” He said.
Usman accused the fabricators of the fake news of not only being mischievous but also deeply irresponsible and must be condemned in the strongest terms.
”I sincerely extend my heartfelt and profound appreciation to the countless patriotic and well-meaning Nigerians, friends, associates and admirers of His Excellency, who reached out with genuine concerns, prayers and goodwill.
“Your overwhelming show of love and support is deeply cherished and speaks volumes about the enduring respect and affection we are privileged to receive from across the country and beyond,” he said.
Usman reminded those he referred to as harbingers of fake news, that truth would always prevail.
According to him, no amount of falsehood or malicious propaganda can tarnish the image of a man who had devoted his life to the service of this great nation.