ABUJA – The Federal Government has stated that its cautious approach to prosecuting individuals suspected of financing terrorism is due to the necessity for “extensive and delicate” investigations, pushing back against public criticism that the process is being unduly delayed.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the clarification on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, addressing growing concerns over alleged government complicity in the nation’s escalating insecurity.
“It is not a question of having the list or not having the list; it is not as simplistic as that,” Idris stated. “Investigations have to be conducted… There must be sufficient investigation carried out.”
The minister’s comments come against a backdrop of sustained public pressure on successive administrations to identify and bring to justice the backers of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and various bandit factions, particularly in northern Nigeria.
While the previous government under President Muhammadu Buhari had disclosed that some suspected financiers had been identified, no high-profile prosecutions have followed, fueling skepticism among civil society groups and security analysts.
Idris defended the current administration’s record, asserting that President Bola Tinubu’s government is “working assiduously” to end terrorism. He pointed to security gains since May 2023, claiming that over 13,500 criminals had been “neutralised,” more than 17,000 apprehended, and that court proceedings for some were underway.
“Sometimes we forget the successes we have recorded,” he remarked, urging public recognition of these efforts.
On related matters, the minister confirmed that the appointment of ambassadors, a subject of recent public discourse, is being finalized by President Tinubu, with nominees currently undergoing mandatory security vetting.
Idris also highlighted ongoing diplomatic engagements with the United States and other international partners, emphasizing Nigeria’s openness to cooperation. “What we feel is that there is no proper understanding of what the situation is about. This is the message we are taking to them,” he said.
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