Lt Gen Tukur Buratai rtd, a former Chief of Army Chief, has officially resumed as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin. The retired General presented his Letter of Credence to President Patrice Talon on Tuesday.
Born November 24, 1960, Buratai is native of Buratai town in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1983 and was COAS from July 2015 to January 2021. Amb Buratai served as Force Commander of the then reconstituted Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTNF) in 2014. His operational deployments included Military Observer at the United Nations Verification Mission in Angola, and Operation HARMONY IV in the Bakassi Peninsula.
Others were Operation MESA, Operation PULO SHIELD, Operation SAFE CONDUCT, Operation ZAMAN LAFIYA and Operation LAFIYA DOLE. Amb Buratai played a role in foiling the attempt by Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho to flee to Germany through Benin Republic. Igboho is being prosecuted at the Cour D’appel De Cotonou for charges yet to be made public by the prosecutor. The secessionist was in court till late hours on Monday and sent back to government custody. Investigations are ongoing.
Nigerian authorities are seeking his extradition for charges including violence incitement, arms stockpiling, threats to the Federal Government and security agencies, among others.
