Ex-Army Chief Buratai Rebukes Federal Government "Pussyfooting" on Naming and Prosecuting Known Terrorism Financiers

Ex-COAS Tukur Buratai asserts that authorities know who funds terrorism in Nigeria and urges the FG to prosecute them under the 2022 Terrorism Act.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 3:59 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THISDAY

The Limits of Kinetic Warfare in Ending Insurgency

Retired Lt-General Tukur Buratai, Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, has issued a candid critique of the federal government’s handling of terrorism financing. In a recent television intervention, Buratai argued that the military alone cannot "rout out" insurgents as long as their financial lifelines remain intact. He emphasized that the current insecurity blighting the nation is a deeply embedded societal issue driven by ideology and substantial funding, neither of which can be resolved through battlefield victories alone. According to Buratai, the focus has shifted unfairly toward the army, while the institutional responsibility to target the financial "enablers" remains largely unfulfilled.

The Legal Mechanism of Designation and Sanctions

Buratai clarified the constitutional boundaries regarding the naming of terror suspects, noting that it is outside the purview of the Nigerian Army to publicly designate or prosecute financiers. Under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the authority to identify and freeze the assets of such individuals lies with the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC). This body operates under the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Security Adviser. While the military provides the primary intelligence and surveillance data, the final act of designation must be approved by the President. Buratai maintained that authorities are well aware of who these financiers are, but have withheld their names for "undisclosed reasons."

A Pattern of Disclosure and Criticism

The delay in exposing terror sponsors has drawn sharp criticism from civil society organizations and security analysts who argue that secrecy fosters a culture of impunity. Despite government assurances in 2021 that sponsors would be prosecuted, the identities of many high-level suspects remain a state secret. Buratai’s comments follow a brief period in early 2024 when the government named 15 entities—including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change (BDC) operators—as alleged financiers. However, the former army chief suggests that many more individuals remain active within society today, effectively fueling a "cankerworm" that he warned would persist longer than expected upon his retirement.