Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has revealed that individuals financing the insurgent group Boko Haram are known to relevant Nigerian authorities, but their identities have not been made public for undisclosed reasons.
Buratai made the assertion while addressing lingering concerns over the persistent threat posed by insurgency, noting that intelligence agencies and security institutions are already aware of those backing terrorist activities financially.
According to him, exposing the names of the financiers is not within his purview, stressing that the responsibility lies with the appropriate authorities. He, however, suggested that there may be strategic or operational reasons why such information has not been disclosed publicly.
The former army chief emphasized that merely identifying the sponsors is insufficient, insisting that decisive action must be taken to dismantle the financial networks sustaining terrorism in the country.
He further warned that the fight against insurgency cannot be won by military force alone, calling for a more comprehensive approach that includes stronger intelligence operations, enforcement measures, and increased recruitment into the nation’s security agencies.
Buratai also reiterated that many of those linked to terrorism financing remain embedded within society, a situation he described as deeply concerning for national security.
His remarks come amid renewed scrutiny over Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, particularly following previous claims by government authorities that several individuals and entities linked to terror financing had been identified, yet largely remain unnamed.
The former army chief maintained that addressing the financial backbone of insurgency remains critical to ending the prolonged conflict, urging the government to match intelligence findings with concrete action.
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