Government knows terror financiers but chooses not to expose them — Buratai
Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has disclosed that individuals financing terrorism in Nigeria are known to authorities but their identities have not been made public.
Speaking during a programme on Channels Television, Buratai said he should not be held responsible for the failure to name those allegedly backing terror groups such as Boko Haram.
According to him, relevant security and intelligence agencies are fully aware of those involved but have chosen not to disclose their identities for reasons best known to them.
“It’s not about just calling names. The agencies involved know why the identities have not been disclosed. These people are known and still live within the society,” he stated.
Buratai also clarified that the rehabilitation of repentant insurgents was a policy decision of the Federal Government, not the military. He explained that in 2016, the army issued a deadline for insurgents to surrender, after which those who complied were transferred to appropriate authorities for deradicalisation and reintegration programmes.
The former Nigerian ambassador expressed concern over the country’s persistent security challenges, calling for improved intelligence gathering and increased recruitment into security agencies to strengthen the fight against insurgency.
For years, Nigerians have demanded that the government publicly identify and prosecute those funding terrorism, especially following claims by officials in 2021 that some suspects had been uncovered.
However, the continued secrecy surrounding their identities has sparked debate, with security experts arguing that greater transparency is essential to effectively combat terrorism.
Nigeria has faced a prolonged insurgency in the North-East for over a decade, with Boko Haram responsible for widespread violence, thousands of deaths, and the displacement of millions of people.
