Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff, has called on the federal government to take action against terror financiers, adding that the military alone cannot rout out insurgents.
Buratai said the mere identification of those financing
terrorism is insufficient to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
In March 2024, the federal government said it had uncovered
15 entities allegedly involved in terrorism financing, comprising nine
individuals and six bureau de change operators.
However, there has been little update from the government on
efforts to prosecute the suspects, despite persistent public outcry.
Speaking during Channels Television’s Politics Today on
Friday, Buratai said: “We over-rely on the military and the army; everybody has
its own responsibility. You cannot say I should be responsible for naming the
financiers of terror.
“The government knows where the source came from; we have
agencies that are responsible. But it’s not just about mentioning names; action
should be taken.”
The former army chief said the military’s role is limited to
its constitutional responsibilities, adding that broader policy decisions, such
as the rehabilitation of repentant insurgents, are determined by the
government.
He described Nigeria’s insurgency as a complex and deeply
rooted challenge that cannot be resolved quickly or through military force
alone.
“Our focus has often been on the army, that the army must do
everything: clear, dismantle, and wipe out all insurgents, but it is not like
that. It is more or less an embedded problem within society, and it requires
everyone’s effort,” he said.
“It would be wishful thinking for anyone to say that this
type of insurgency can be cleared overnight. These are people with ideology and
beliefs who think they have a mission, and once they establish it, they imagine
a perfect society, which is not realistic in the Nigerian context.”
BURATAI: I WARNED THAT INSURGENCY COULD PERSIST LONGER
He also addressed the debate over the “technical defeat” of
Boko Haram.
Buratai said that while the intensity of attacks
significantly reduced after 2015 and territories were reclaimed, the threat has
persisted.
He recalled that at the height of the insurgency, bombings
were widespread from Maiduguri to Abuja, but by late 2016, such attacks had
largely subsided, and previously occupied local government areas were
recovered.
Despite the gains, Buratai said he warned that insurgency
could endure if not comprehensively addressed.
“At the time I was leaving office to take up an
ambassadorial role, I warned that this was a cankerworm that could persist much
longer than expected. I did not say this for attention, but because I
understood that it is not just the military’s responsibility,” he said.
He cited ongoing challenges in parts of the north-east and
north-west, including poor infrastructure, difficult terrain, and ungoverned
spaces.
According to him, addressing insecurity requires sustained
investment in development, including roads, rail, social services, and job
creation, to tackle the root causes of instability.
Buratai further added that while the military has made
progress and is not overwhelmed, it continues to face operational challenges,
including limited manpower and equipment relative to the vast terrain of the
north-east.
“I don’t see that the insurgency is overwhelming the troops.
We are okay, but we need more enablers such as drones and additional platforms.
The landmass is enormous, and troops are widely dispersed,” he said.
The former army chief said lasting peace will depend not
only on military operations but also on sustained government action,
institutional coordination, and societal involvement in addressing the drivers
of insurgency.
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