Who is funding terrorism in Nigeria?
The recent plea from the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and various civil society organizations (CSOs) for an investigation into the funding of terrorism is a clarion call that should prompt immediate government action, especially given the escalating insurgency and abductions nationwide, extending even to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The nation is grappling with a terrorism epidemic that has reached critical levels, endangering the lives and economic stability of its citizens. The frequency of assaults by factions such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and the entities commonly referred to as bandits is disturbing, with a devastating number of civilians being killed or injured.
The economic impact is equally catastrophic, with agricultural activities disrupted and food prices surging as a result of farmers abandoning their lands in fear.
It is evident that a robust and decisive approach is necessary to tackle this threat head-on. The NEF spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, has made a compelling case for the urgency of probing the financial underpinnings of terrorism.
Identifying and disrupting the financial networks that support these extremist groups is a critical step in dismantling their operations. It is pertinent to reflect on the stipulations of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that the security and welfare of the people are the government’s foremost responsibilities, and assures the people’s participation in governance in line with constitutional provisions.
Given the relentless menace of terrorism in Nigeria and the startling assertion by Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi (rtd) – implicating terrorism financiers in the plane crash that claimed the life of former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru – it is incumbent upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take these allegations seriously and not disregard them.
Ali-Keffi’s insistence on President Tinubu to delve into the financing of terrorism within the nation is a justified and crucial move to uncover the realities behind the atrocious acts of terrorism.
Nigeria is at a crossroads, and the path it chooses will determine the fate of its citizens. Terrorism has ravaged the country, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in its wake. But there is hope. By investigating the financing of terrorism, Nigeria can strike at the heart of the problem and restore peace and security to its people.
The recent designations of six Nigerians as terrorism sponsors by the UAE and the US are a wake-up call. It is time for Nigeria to take action and hold those responsible for funding terrorism accountable.
The previous administration promised to do so, but failed to follow through. Now is the time for President Tinubu to act. Terrorism not only causes human suffering, but it also has a negative impact on the economy. Foreign investments, tourism, and assistance programs are all discouraged by the threat of terrorism.
The government’s ability to govern effectively is also compromised, as we have seen in the Niger Delta. The problem is not just arms and drug trafficking. Terrorists are also taking over ungoverned spaces and imposing illegal taxes on the people they terrorise.
This is unacceptable, and the government must take action to stop it. The recent allegations made by Ali-Keffi regarding terrorism sponsors within the military are deeply concerning. If true, they would expose a serious problem within the military and compromise its ability to combat terrorism effectively.
President Tinubu must act swiftly to investigate these allegations and root out any corruption within the military. This is a critical moment for Nigeria. The country must choose whether to continue down the path of violence and instability or to take decisive action to restore peace and security.
President Tinubu has the opportunity to lead the way and show that Nigeria will not tolerate those who betray their country by funding terrorism. The investigation must be transparent and thorough, and those responsible must be held accountable. The future of Nigeria depends on it.
This will admittedly not be easy. Nigeria’s informal cash economy enables anonymity that can cloak illicit transactions.
In the vast expanse of Nigeria, a challenge looms large. A comprehensive system to identify and track its citizens is amiss, leaving room for individuals to operate in the shadows, spending fortunes without leaving a trace.
This clandestine dance makes it all the more difficult to combat the issue at hand. The responsibility falls upon the shoulders of our esteemed security agencies, who must rise to the occasion and delve deep into the depths of this predicament.
They must unearth the leakages and diligently follow the trail of funds that escape the clutches of the formal banking system.
The rewards for decisively confronting the financing of terrorism are immense, and the need for action is urgent. It is only through audacious steps to trace the money, thoroughly investigate leads, and prosecute any accomplices that Nigeria can hope to shatter the vicious cycle of violence that plagues our land.
The time has come to hold the puppeteers and their cohorts accountable, without any room for cover-ups. President Tinubu must take the helm and lead the charge before the toll of terror rises any further.
The future of Nigeria hinges upon the exposure and dismantling of those who profit from chaos and bloodshed. We cannot allow a handful of criminals to continue holding our nation hostage with their nefarious activities.
It is high time we seized them by the throat and declared with unwavering resolve, that enough is enough.
