Kehinde Fajobi
Major General Adekunle Ariyibi has revealed that Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) receive international financial support, which has prolonged Nigeria’s battle against terrorism.
Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ programme on Monday, February 17, the Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluations at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the insurgents’ external backing explains their long-standing operations.
“This kind of insurgency couldn’t have lasted 15 years without foreign collaboration and assistance,” he stated on Monday.
He noted that Boko Haram and ISWAP have evolved significantly since aligning with ISIS, gaining access to international funding that extends beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“It’s clear from the level of weaponry they possess and their ability to sustain operations. Now, they are even using drones—not just for surveillance but also for combat purposes,” he added.
Ariyibi’s remarks come amid discussions sparked by US Congressman Scott Perry, who alleged that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had at some point funded terrorist groups, including Boko Haram.
Reacting to Perry’s claim, Senator Ali Ndume urged the Nigerian government to launch a thorough investigation.
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“This isn’t just an allegation—it’s a serious issue,” Ndume said on Sunday Politics. “The Nigerian government and the National Assembly must investigate and verify the credibility of such a significant claim.”
Earlier in 2024, the Federal Government identified several individuals and Bureau de Change (BDC) operators as terrorism financiers.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates and the US have also imposed sanctions and frozen assets linked to terror funding.