March 21, 2026 — SUNTV Global Channel
Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has revealed that individuals financing terrorism in Nigeria are already known to authorities, but their identities have not been made public for undisclosed reasons.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Buratai stated that the responsibility for naming and prosecuting terror financiers lies with relevant government agencies—not the Nigerian Army.
“You cannot say I should be responsible for naming the financiers of terror… those agencies know why the names are not released,” he said.
He emphasized that while the suspects are known and still within society, action against them should be prioritized over public disclosure.
Buratai also clarified that the controversial rehabilitation of repentant Boko Haram members was a government policy decision, not an initiative of the Nigerian Army. According to him, the military only provided a surrender window in 2016, after which those who gave up were handed over to appropriate agencies for rehabilitation.
The retired general expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, calling for improved intelligence gathering and increased recruitment of security personnel to combat insurgency effectively.
Meanwhile, the issue has been further complicated by ongoing controversies within the military. Reports indicate that Brigadier General Gabriel Archibong is currently in detention over alleged links to retired Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi, who previously accused top military figures of releasing terrorism financing suspects.
Ali-Keffi has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian Army, alleging unlawful detention, torture, and the controversial release of terror suspects during his tenure leading a covert task force.
The developments continue to raise serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and the fight against terrorism financing in Nigeria.
SUNTV Global Channel will keep tracking this developing story.
