Buratai: Agencies Know Terror Financiers, Lack Action

Nigeria's former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), stated on Friday that security agencies know the identities of individuals financing terrorism but have not taken sufficient action against them, emphasizing that naming suspects alone is inadequate without prosecution. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today program, Buratai distanced himself from responsibility for public disclosures, saying the matter falls under other government bodies.

Buratai, who led the Nigerian Army from 2015 to 2021, argued that Nigeria's security challenges extend beyond military operations and require coordinated efforts from all sectors of society. "You cannot say I should be responsible for naming the financiers of terror," he said. "It's not just about mentioning names; those agencies know why the names are not released. Action should be taken; these individuals are still within society today, and they are known." He highlighted that even some arrested in connection with Boko Haram have not faced prosecution, pointing to gaps in the justice system.

The comments come amid ongoing concerns over terrorism financing in Nigeria. In March 2024, the federal...