By Nudoiba Ojen
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and some civil society organisations have urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate terrorism financing in the country.
They also called on the president to, in view of recent revelation that the plane crash that killed former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, was caused by sponsors of terrorism, revisit the investigation.
NEF Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, highlighted the gravity of terrorism financing, describing it as the financial support that sustains terrorist organisations.
He said, “The call by Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi for President Tinubu to investigate terrorism financing in the country was a justified and necessary step towards unraveling the truth behind the heinous acts of terrorism” in the country.
“Terrorism financing refers to the financial support provided to terrorist organisations, enabling them to carry out their nefarious activities. This support can come from various sources, including individuals, organisations, and even state actors.
“Investigating terrorism financing is crucial as it helps identify the root causes of terrorism and disrupts the flow of funds that sustain these extremist groups. By probing terrorism financing, Nigeria can effectively dismantle the networks that perpetuate violence and restore peace and security to its citizens.
“Investigating terrorism financing is crucial as it helps identify the root causes of terrorism and disrupts the flow of funds that sustain these extremist groups.”
Suleiman said that if proven true that terrorism sponsors with collaborators in the military were responsible for the late COAS” death, would expose a deeply rooted problem within the military, which is compromising its ability to effectively combat terrorism.
The NEF spokesperson further noted that the alleged involvement of terrorism sponsors within the military not only undermines national security but also erodes public trust in the Armed Forces, adding that thorough investigation was necessary to identify and hold accountable those responsible for such heinous acts.
“Given that in recent times, Nigeria has been grappling with the scourge of terrorism, which has claimed countless lives and destabilised the nation, the call by Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi for President Tinubu to investigate terrorism financing in the country is a justified and necessary step towards unraveling the truth behind the heinous acts of terrorism”.
Also, CSOs including Transparency International (TI), the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) said they have begun campaign to pressure government to investigate terrorism financiers.
Speaking through their leader, Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, the CSOs said, “The truth is that terrorism is affecting Nigeria negatively. Previous administrations spent over $20 billion to deal with Boko Haram, but nothing tangible has been achieved.
“The former Chief of Army staff was dealing with terrorists and everyone knows about this. Even when he became the COAS, his record was good in dealing with terrorists and their sponsors. But they ganged up and killed him”.
The CSOs said, “The Accident Investigation Bureau submitted their investigation report to the former Chief of the Air Staff when the crash happened. Nigerians didn’t hear of anything tangible till this day.
“President Tinubu must investigate that incident again and the report should be made public. There is no way a whole Chief of Army Staff can be eliminated in the conspiracy of terrorism and nothing is done about it.
“Terrorism financiers must be investigated and if found guilty they must be punished,” Rafsanjani said.
“We are in support of Tinubu to carry out a serious security investigation concerning the death of the former Chief of Army Staff. We can’t be losing such people and no credible information is given on the causes of the death.
“Every aircraft has a black box. The black box gives details of what happened if an aircraft crashes. The black box will give details on what killed him.
“President Tinubu should ensure that the report of that incident is out and people that are found culpable should be punished,” Rafsanjani added.
