Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has revealed that those funding terrorism in Nigeria are not hidden, but known to security agencies—though their identities remain undisclosed.
Speaking during a televised interview, Buratai said the responsibility for naming alleged sponsors of insurgency, particularly those linked to Boko Haram, does not lie with him, stressing that authorities have strategic reasons for withholding such information.
According to him, the focus should shift from public naming to decisive action, as those involved in financing terror are still active within society.
“It’s not about mentioning names. Relevant agencies know these individuals and understand why their identities are not made public,” he stated.
Buratai also addressed concerns over the rehabilitation of former insurgents, clarifying that the initiative was driven by government policy rather than the military. He explained that under his leadership, a surrender window was introduced in 2016, allowing fighters to lay down arms and be transferred to appropriate agencies for reintegration.
While acknowledging ongoing security challenges, the former army chief called for stronger intelligence systems and better coordination among security institutions to effectively dismantle terror networks.
He further urged the Federal Government to increase recruitment into the armed forces and other security agencies to strengthen operational capacity.
Despite repeated assurances by authorities that terror financiers have been identified, their continued anonymity has sparked criticism, with many insisting that transparency and accountability are crucial to ending insurgency.
Nigeria continues to battle a prolonged insurgency in the North-East, with Boko Haram and its factions responsible for years of violence and humanitarian crises.
Buratai Drops Bombshell: Terror Financiers Living Freely in Nigeria
