Ex-Defence Chief accuses politicians of funding terrorism, cites governance failures

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, has alleged that certain politicians in Nigeria are involved in financing terrorist activities.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Irabor stated that some political actors exploit insecurity for personal or political gain.

“Some politicians have taken advantage of poor governance to create leverage, while others may instigate crises to underscore perceived governance failures,” he explained.

When questioned about whether politicians fund terror groups, Irabor responded unequivocally: “Some politicians.”

He also addressed the government’s reluctance to publicly name terrorism financiers, noting that while several individuals have been interrogated, the details remain classified. “It’s not for public consumption… We should support and trust those tasked with handling the matter,” Irabor said.

The former defence chief highlighted persistent gaps in manpower and equipment, urging authorities to improve capacity.

He described recent surges in violence—including mass kidnappings and attacks on schools and religious institutions—as a worsening of longstanding patterns, aggravated by criminals’ access to more advanced weapons.

“We thought we were on a winning streak, but suddenly it seems we’ve reversed all the gains,” Irabor remarked, emphasizing that security should be treated as a national issue rather than a regional one.

He further warned that extremist ideologies from groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to influence communities, and firmly opposed recruiting repentant insurgents into the military.

In recent months, Nigeria has experienced a sharp rise in kidnappings and assaults, particularly in northern and central regions. High-profile incidents include the abduction of over 300 students and teachers in Niger State, 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi, and attacks on worshippers in Kwara, Kogi, and Sokoto states.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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