General Lucky Irabor, ex-chief of defence staff (CDS), says some political actors are involved in terrorism financing in Nigeria.
On November 30, Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, said the federal government would soon reveal the identities of terrorism sponsors.
Bwala said the government is “making far-reaching decisions”, adding that the outcome would be noticeable shortly.
The presidential aide said terrorism is a global problem, adding that “the demand is now on the world governments to see how they can cooperate with Nigeria”.
Speaking on ‘Politics Today’, a Channels Television programme, on Monday, Irabor said certain politicians exploit insecurity for personal advantage.
Asked directly if politicians fund terror networks, he replied with “some politicians”.
Irabor said some party chieftains capitalise on instability to create an impression that they can offer better leadership.
“Some politicians have now taken advantage of the state of under-governance, as it were, to perhaps gain some form of leverage to give the impression that they can do better,” he said.
“Others perhaps want to give an impression they can do better, to score the point that there is poor governance… they could also instigate a certain crisis one way or the other.
“Those who believe that it’s purely political, maybe, have their argument from that angle. For me, it will be wrong.”
Irabor also addressed criticisms of the federal government’s refusal to publish names of alleged terror financiers.
The ex-CDS also said investigators had engaged several individuals, but that the sensitive information cannot be made public just yet.
“I believe there are a lot of individuals who have been called to question. When I was CDS, there were some trials that were made, especially for the financiers. It’s not for public consumption,” he said.
“What I think we should do at this point is to give support, and trust those who have been charged with responsibilities, to do what’s right.”
He added that Nigerians must appreciate that “not everybody in government is a liar or is unserious”.
Irabor said Nigeria still suffers significant gaps in manpower and equipment, while describing the recent escalation of attacks as a reflection of long-running patterns rather than an entirely new trend.
The retired army chief said criminal groups have acquired more sophisticated tools, which has heightened the scale and brutality of their operations.
The former defence chief reiterated that Nigeria must address operational gaps if it intends to reverse the deteriorating security climate.
Northern Nigeria has witnessed a rise in kidnappings and killings in recent weeks, including two high-profile attacks involving schoolchildren.
In November, a military convoy was ambushed in Borno by ISWAP fighters, and M. Uba, a brigadier general, was captured alive before he was killed.
There have also been abductions and killings across Zamfara, Sokoto and Yobe states.
Over 200 schoolchildren were kidnapped from schools in Niger and Kebbi states, while 38 worshippers were abducted in a church in Kwara during a live-streamed service.
Days after the Niger abduction, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said 50 students had escaped from their captors. At least 250 students are believed to still be in captivity.
The 24 schoolgirls kidnapped in Kebbi regained their freedom on November 25, while the 38 worshippers abducted in Kwara have also been freed.
