Authorities Know Boko Haram’s Backers, Says Buratai

​Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has stated that the individuals financing terrorism in Nigeria are known to the relevant authorities, though their identities remain shielded from the public.

​Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Buratai clarified that while the military played its part in combating insurgency, the responsibility for naming and shaming financiers lies with specific government agencies that may have strategic reasons for their silence.

​”It’s not just about mentioning names; those agencies know why the names are not released,” Buratai said. “These individuals are still within society today, and they are known.”

​Addressing the controversial “Operation Safe Corridor” program, the former Army Chief noted that the decision to rehabilitate repentant Boko Haram members was a federal government policy rather than a strictly military one. He explained that the initial 2016 concept focused on providing a timeline for surrender to ensure a free passage to rehabilitation agencies.

​Buratai also emphasized the need for:

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• ​Enhanced Intelligence: Moving beyond kinetic force to sophisticated data gathering.
• ​Increased Personnel: Recruiting more security agents to cover vast ungoverned spaces.
• ​Accountability: Taking responsibility for actions strictly within the Nigerian Army’s remit while urging other agencies to act on financial trails.

​The federal government has faced mounting pressure since 2021, when it first announced that several individuals and entities funding insurgency had been identified. Despite tracking by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the public has yet to see high-profile prosecutions, leading to criticism from civil society groups who argue that anonymity fosters impunity.

​As Nigeria enters another year of battling North-East instability, Buratai’s comments reignite the debate over whether transparency in funding is the missing link in ending the decade-long conflict.