Ex-Military Chief Buratai Denies Connection to Terrorism Funding Allegations

Lt. General Tukur Buratai (rtd), a former Chief of Army Staff and Ambassador to the Benin Republic, has vehemently refuted claims that he financed terrorists, calling them wholly false and at odds with his principles.

In a statement signed by Brig. General Sani Kukasheka Usman, a former Army spokesperson, Buratai made this claim on Saturday in reaction to an online exposé that accused him and other notable people of having ties to terrorism financing.

The statement called the allegations “false, unfounded, mischievous” and said they were a part of a smear effort meant to damage Buratai’s reputation. It emphasized that he had never been questioned, looked into, or connected to the funding of terrorism during his illustrious military career.

“He has never been questioned, investigated, indicted, or associated with any such matter by any official body or authority at any point in his distinguished career,” the statement states.

“He has never been connected in any way to the financing of terrorism by any security institution, intelligence agency, court, diplomatic mission, oversight mechanism, or administrative body.”

The former Army chief refuted the accusations, stating that they were based only on Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi’s (rtd) unconfirmed personal assertions in the Sahara Reporters piece. The publishing, according to him, was a “clear misrepresentation borne out of malice” with no legal or factual foundation.

Buratai’s statement also denounced the online magazine for its repeated attempts over the years to damage his reputation, all of which were unsuccessful because of his long-standing, open, and honorable service to Nigeria.

The statement stated, “His record remains forthright, transparent, and distinguished by honorable service to the nation, which is why every attempt has failed.”

Buratai had served the nation with “honour, courage, and steadfast commitment” to combating terrorism for more than 40 years, according to the statement. It emphasized his leadership in the Nigerian Army’s battle against ISWAP and Boko Haram, which resulted in the resettlement of displaced Nigerians, the recovery of territory, the restoration of civil administration, and the considerable degradation of these terrorist organizations.

The statement continued, “It defies logic and conscience to suggest that the same person who led decisive actions against terrorism would in any way be associated with the very elements he spent his career confronting.”

Major General Ali-Keffi (rtd) and Sahara Reporters were urged by Buratai’s legal team to promptly withdraw the accusations and apologize in public. The statement cautioned that Buratai would be forced to take legal action to defend his name if he didn’t comply.

“If this isn’t done, we will have no choice but to take appropriate legal action to safeguard his reputation and seek compensation for this malicious attack,” the statement stated.