Ex-Chief of Defence Reveals Nigerian Politicians Funding Terrorism, Exploiting Insecurity for Political Gain

• Former Chief of Defence Staff Lucky Irabor says certain political actors are backing terror groups and manipulating insecurity to advance their ambitions, warning that Nigeria still faces major security gaps.

Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lucky Irabor has alleged that some political actors in Nigeria are involved in terrorism financing and are exploiting the country’s insecurity for political advantage.

Irabor made the revelation on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, responding to renewed public pressure on the Federal Government to release the names of identified terror financiers.

His comments came days after President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, hinted that the government would soon expose those sponsoring terrorism and had begun taking “far-reaching decisions.”

Irabor, who served as CDS between 2021 and 2023, said certain politicians deliberately manipulate insecurity to build narratives that strengthen their political positions.

When asked directly whether political figures fund terrorist groups, he answered simply: “Some politicians.”

He explained further:
“Some politicians have taken advantage of under-governance to gain leverage, to give the impression they can do better. Others instigate crises to score political points and portray governance as poor.”

The retired general also responded to criticism over the government’s refusal to disclose the names of alleged terror financiers. He said ongoing investigations make such revelations too sensitive.

“I believe many individuals have been questioned,” he noted. “When I was CDS, there were trials for some financiers. It’s not for public consumption.”

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

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Irabor warned that Nigeria continues to face major deficits in manpower, equipment, and operational capacity. He said the recent surge in attacks followed a long-running pattern, noting that criminal groups have grown more sophisticated and deadly.

Uptick in Attacks Across the North

Northern Nigeria has seen a rise in violent incidents in recent weeks, including ambushes, mass abductions, and targeted killings of security personnel.

• In November, ISWAP ambushed a military convoy in Borno, capturing Brigadier General M. Uba alive before killing him.
• Killings and kidnappings have persisted in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Yobe states.
• More than 200 pupils were abducted from schools in Niger and Kebbi states.
• Thirty-eight worshippers were kidnapped during a live-streamed church service in Kwara State.

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

Irabor stressed that Nigeria must urgently “close operational gaps” if it hopes to reverse the worsening security situation.