Nigerian politicians are involved in terrorism financing – ex-chief of defence staff

Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor

Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lucky Irabor says some political actors in Nigeria are involved in terrorism financing and the exploitation of insecurity for political advantage.

Irabor disclosed this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he responded to ongoing public pressure for the federal government to reveal the identities of terror financiers.

His comment followed a recent statement by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, who said the government would soon expose those bankrolling terrorism and that “far-reaching decisions” were already being taken.

Irabor, who led the armed forces between 2021 and 2023, said certain politicians deliberately take advantage of insecurity to create narratives that favour their political ambitions.

Read Also: Tinubu orders security chiefs to deliver ‘tangible results’ in fight against insecurity

When asked directly if politicians fund terror groups, he replied, “Some politicians.”

“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.”

The retired general also addressed criticisms over the government’s decision not to publish the names of alleged terror financiers. He explained that investigations are ongoing and that the information remains too sensitive for public release.

“I believe there are a lot of individuals who have been called to question,” he said. “When I was CDS, there were some trials that were made, especially for the financiers. It’s not for public consumption.”

Irabor urged Nigerians to trust the security agencies to do their job, insisting that “not everybody in government is a liar or is unserious.”

He also warned that Nigeria still faces significant deficits in manpower, equipment, and operational capacity. He described the recent spike in attacks as part of a long-running pattern, noting that criminal groups have acquired more sophisticated tools, increasing the scale and brutality of their operations.

The northern region has witnessed a surge in violent incidents in recent weeks, including high-profile ambushes, mass abductions, and targeted attacks on security personnel.

In November, ISWAP fighters ambushed a military convoy in Borno, capturing Brigadier General M. Uba alive before killing him. Across Zamfara, Sokoto, and Yobe states, killings and kidnappings have persisted.

More than 200 schoolchildren were abducted from schools in Niger and Kebbi states, while 38 worshippers were seized during a live-streamed church service in Kwara.

Fifty of the abducted Niger pupils were later reported to have escaped, while the 24 kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi and the abducted Kwara worshippers have since regained freedom.

Irabor said Nigeria must “close operational gaps” if it intends to reverse the deteriorating security climate.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.

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