General Buratai: A Sparse Speaker And Still This Legendary Character
By James Bwala
It was difficult to convince some active-duty and retired military personnel to talk to them about the former Army Chief Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai. Meeting some of these serving officers in the barracks was like daring to enter the lion’s den to steal part of his prey. But even on dangerous terrain, I have done so several times in my job as a journalist. Soldiers are just ordinary folks like us.
The difference is the brutal training they underwent to transform from civilians to war machines with the aim of defending a nation’s integrity. Unless one hits on their beast of prey, these brothers in green uniforms and welding with weapons while standing in their boots in their solidly guts are frequently soft and gentle.
Since I have been an investigative journalist with a focus on security reporting for many years, I am aware of the circumstances in which troops would wish to be featured in a story while discussing a sensitive issue. As a result, I gave them the normal assurances of anonymity in the spirit of journalism. And I stick by my commitment to these hapless soldiers who are confined within the barracks’ four walls. Although they spoke well of the former Army chief, the fear of being witch-hunted by those who may not like their positions on General Buratai should be respected. As such, I have given my words not to mention them in my stories but their mouths have spoken many truths that makes the former COAS the envy of some comrades who lost the spirit of comradeship, which should continue for a lifetime as members of the war spirits.
One of the men who spoke with me described former Army Chief Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai as a cherub with eyes over all his wings and therefore, nothing would catch him off guard. ” He is gentle yet strong. I am not surprised that some of his colleagues are envious of his rising political status after retirement. I know some of these stories from your questions but you did not hear anything from me.”
One of the Officers said.” You know what they always said, just act like you don’t know, “he added. I think there should be a curriculum for retired generals and soldiers who are delving into politics after retirement. The unethical approaches and loss of comradeship is tiring the long-known military sayings from the regimented wombs. It was said that, when you have an enemy, he tags along with other enemies to discuss you. But in the end, they are all enemies of one another. As such, whatever they discussed about you in the closet, everything is made open by one of them in the final analysis. One of them may have revealed the gathering of a few retired generals at the home of one of those hosting them to talk politics and how to keep the former army chief general Tukur Yusuf Buratai away from the Tinubu camp at the table where dirt was hatched on how to control the Tinubu administration in the coming days. Some of the former generals present at the conference, as well as the opponents, are entering politics on the wrong footings. I purposely chose not to reveal their names in this article, but we do have lists of them.”They just got together and decided to do all in their power to keep former Army Chief Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai far away from the Tinubu administration. They also had big plans for a smear campaign against him. We must pay close attention to these politics and the flood of retired military personnel. I would like a scenario in which retired military commanders or any other uniformed individuals should be sent back to school to refresh their knowledge of civilian life before re-entering society. Concern is warranted given certain former officers’ actions and what is now going on in our nation with politicians and uniformed personnel.”
An impeccable source revealed Last Tuesday, we revealed efforts to discredit the former chief of the army, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, due to internal political conflicts and anticipations for the appointments the Tinubu government is expected to make in the coming days. Truth be told, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, as reserved as he was, was a crucial component of the security architecture and made a lasting impression on the Nigerian military, making him a legendary figure. It makes sense why he has been the target of those who believe they can erase his accomplishments by tearing him down.
“If the barracks could talk, they would be able to tell you numerous tales about General Buratai that set him apart from other army chiefs who came before him, especially this one who is inviting guests to his home to talk about Buratai. Buratai is still the only military Chief, who receives the same positive feedback from many comrades as the former military president (IBB) does within the military enclaves, if for no other reason. Therefore, it follows that General Buratai won the soldiers’ respect not because he has been the COAS the longest, but rather because he is familiar with their way of thinking.”
One of the troops explained. Indeed, when a general treated his troops as his own children, as they said, they would accompany him into any valley to vanquish his foes.
Because of this, nothing concerning the former Army Chief that occurred within or outside the barracks would escape his notice within a 24-hour period. I believe that his soldiers are still showing him thanks by doing this.
