Why We Must Never Forget Buratai

 

Why We Must Never Forget Buratai

By Jerry Adesewo

When a young Nigerian soldier pens a heartfelt tribute to a retired general, it’s not just nostalgia—it’s a call to remembrance. Chikere Vitus Eyioma, a former orderly in the office of Nigeria’s ex-Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), has delivered such a call with precision, passion, and clarity. Through his lens, we are reminded not just of the man behind the military uniform, but of the visionary leader who reshaped the Nigerian Army’s soul.

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“I joined the Nigerian Army in 2014,” Eyioma begins, “with the belief that our generals didn’t care about us. But that changed when Buratai came on board.” That belief—commonly shared among the junior ranks—began to crack under the weight of Buratai’s hands-on leadership and relentless work ethic.

Eyioma would later be transferred to the Army headquarters in Abuja, where he served directly under Buratai. It was there he witnessed the general’s commitment up close.

“There was a week he worked day and night, nonstop,” he recalls. “He broke down at one point. I was sent to get the medical team. But once treated, he went right back to his desk.”

This isn’t just folklore from a loyal subordinate—it reflects the true grit that came to define Buratai’s time as Chief of Army Staff from July 2015 to January 2021. His tenure was marked by strategic reforms, sweeping infrastructure development, and the reclamation of territories overrun by insurgents.

Reclaiming Nigeria’s Northeast,

Under Buratai’s leadership, the Army pushed back Boko Haram from its strongholds in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States. Major highways once lost to insurgents—including the Maiduguri-Bama and Damaturu-Maiduguri roads—were reopened, enabling the return of civil governance and humanitarian relief.

These military victories weren’t achieved in air-conditioned offices. Buratai was known to visit battlefronts in person, boosting morale and demonstrating a rare brand of generalship—leading from the front.

Modernizing the Army, One Brick at a Time,

Perhaps one of his most enduring legacies is infrastructure. The establishment of new formations like the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command and the Army Aviation Corps allowed for swifter responses to emerging threats. He also spearheaded the construction of new military facilities across the country, including:

• The Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) in Borno State.
• Command Science Secondary Schools in several states.
• Nigerian Army War College, Abuja.
• Army Aviation School (under construction).
• Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri—state-of-the-art military housing.

His reforms touched everything: from healthcare (with the transformation of 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna and the Command and NAOWA Hospital in Abuja) to agriculture (through Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches), and from technical education to housing schemes for soldiers.

Restoring Honour to Service

Under Buratai, long-forgotten allowances were restored,” says Eyioma. “Soldiers were not just fighting—they were being cared for. We had access to education, to housing, to mortgages. I benefited personally.”

This focus on welfare was not just lip service. Buratai understood that morale was a weapon as important as any rifle. His attention to non-commissioned officers, and his unwavering push for education—military and civilian alike—was part of a broader vision: a professional, highly skilled, and respected Nigerian Army.

New Formations and Strategic Expansions

Under his tenure, the Army saw a remarkable structural transformation. He established:

• New divisions like the 6th (Port Harcourt) and 8th (Sokoto) Divisions.
• Brigades in Yenagoa, Katsina, Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
• Strategic Forward Operating Bases in Daura, Okene, and his hometown, Buratai.

Each of these formations was matched with corresponding infrastructure—barracks, medical centres, training facilities, and roads.

Civil Military Relations and Democratoc Support

Lt. Gen. Buratai also emphasized the importance of civil-military relations. His respect for constitutional democracy was evident in how the military operated during elections. “He insisted on neutrality,” Eyioma notes. “And he meant it.”

Even in retirement, Buratai’s influence endured. As Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, he championed the role of culture in national security, promoting the idea that indigenous values and traditions hold solutions to our security challenges.

A Living Legacy

What makes Eyioma’s reflection particularly powerful is its grounding in personal experience. From a junior officer unsure of his leaders’ intentions to a front-row observer of Buratai’s leadership, he paints a picture of a man who gave everything to the nation.

“His legacy is not just in what he built,” he writes, “but in how he inspired us to believe in the military again.”

Indeed, for many, Buratai represents more than just a former army chief. He is a symbol of discipline, vision, sacrifice, and hope.

A Call to Remember

As Nigeria continues to face complex security challenges, the need for leaders of Buratai’s calibre becomes even more pressing. His structural reforms, his tireless work ethic, and his unwavering belief in the Nigerian Army’s potential offer valuable lessons.

So, as Eyioma aptly puts it: “Let’s not forget him.”

Let’s not forget the general who once served without sleep, who built schools, roads, hospitals, and dreams. Let’s not forget the man who turned a sceptical recruit into a believer.

Let’s celebrate Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai—not just as a soldier—but as a nation-builder.

 

Why We Must Never Forget Buratai