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Boko Haram Informants Among Politicians, Soldiers
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has once again drawn national attention to the resurgence of Boko Haram in the state. One of his most alarming, and significant claims is that certain military officers and politicians are acting as informants and collaborators for the terrorist group.
This revelation is not entirely new, but it remains insightful and deeply troubling. Former President Goodluck Jonathan had similarly acknowledged that members of the bloodthirsty sect had infiltrated his administration. Explaining his government’s difficulties in combating the insurgency, he stated that Boko Haram operatives had embedded themselves within the three arms of government, including the armed forces, police, and other security agencies.
He made this startling admission during an inter-denominational service to mark the 2012 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Christian Centre in Abuja. The country was stunned. Yet, despite the gravity of that confession, no names were mentioned. That failure allowed the sect’s collaborators to continue operating from the shadows.
At the time, Boko Haram was at its most savage, destroying police stations, killing security personnel, deploying suicide bombers, and detonating car bombs in cities. In its campaign against Western education, it targeted students and carried out the infamous abduction of schoolgirls from Chibok, an incident that brought the group global infamy.
Eventually, the Jonathan administration, in a bid to push back the militants, engaged mercenaries who helped reclaim swathes of land seized by the sect. When the Muhammadu Buhari administration took over, it declared that Boko Haram had been “technically defeated.” Repentant fighters were reabsorbed into society, and attacks decreased significantly. There was a glimmer of hope that Nigeria was turning the corner. But that hope has since dimmed.
Governor Zulum’s latest declaration is more than a cry for help; it is an indictment of the entrenched rot within our political and military systems. It underscores a tragic truth: the persistence of Boko Haram is not due to the group’s strength alone, but to the betrayal within our own ranks. After over a decade of carnage, that should alarm us all.
This cannot continue. This treachery must end, not only because we desire peace, but because the government has a duty to act decisively and courageously. The nation must be tired by now of burying its citizens and watching helplessly as terrorists strike, regroup, and strike again.
We commend Governor Zulum’s courage in highlighting the involvement of insiders. But we believe he must go further. It is time to name names. The era of vague accusations is over. Nigerians deserve to know who is enabling this terror from within.
We also commend the military for their sacrifices and commitment to defending the country, often at great personal cost. Neutralising bloodthirsty militants, many of them misguided youths, is a heavy burden on our troops and society at large. But without cutting off the head of the snake, the sponsors, the terror will continue.
There was a moment of hope in 2020 when six Nigerians were identified, prosecuted, and jailed in the United Arab Emirates for funding Boko Haram. Abdurrahman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad were convicted for attempting to send $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria to support the sect.
That action by a foreign government should have inspired similar prosecutions at home. Indeed, in 2021, the Buhari administration announced that it had arrested and begun prosecuting some Boko Haram sponsors. But years later, Nigerians are still waiting for names. Nothing has been disclosed. No convictions have been secured. Silence has taken the place of justice.
The introduction of forest guards and other kinetic measures is commendable. But the real solution lies in breaking the financial and logistical lifelines of the terror groups. That means identifying, prosecuting, and punishing the sponsors, no matter how powerful.
Yes, we recognise the danger of politically motivated accusations. That is why such disclosures must be followed by thorough and credible investigations, backed by solid intelligence and forensic financial tracking. With the right international collaboration and political will, this is not only possible, but imperative.
Over the years, many Nigerians have called for the public naming of Boko Haram sponsors. But those calls have been ignored. From the shadows, these masters of terror have continued to orchestrate death and destruction across Nigeria.
As a newspaper, we believe Nigeria could and should have stopped this evil long ago, but this is still a good time to do so.
Leadership.ng
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that Justice had earlier convicted Kanu on all seven counts levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment for count 1, 2, 4,5, and 6.
He also sentenced Kanu to 20 years forcount 3 without option of fine.
The Judge sentenced Kanu to five years in prison on count seven without option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ruled that he should not be kept in Kuje prison. He forfeited Nnamdi Kanu’s radio transmitter and barred him from access to social media.
More are still coming
The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death sentence on the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, following his conviction on all seven terrorism counts.
The request was made on Thursday by the FG’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), shortly after Justice James Omotosho found Kanu guilty of all charges preferred against him.
Awomolo, addressing the court after the verdict, argued that the severity of Kanu’s actions merited the maximum penalty under the law.
The senior lawyer insisted that Kanu committed “many illegalities” and should not be treated with leniency.
Awomolo further reminded the court that four of the seven counts on which Kanu was convicted carry the death sentence under Nigeria’s terrorism laws.
He urged Justice Omotosho to take this into account in determining the appropriate punishment.
“It will not be considered justice that he is isolated and punished lightly in a country where we have Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa, et cetera,” he argued.
According to the prosecution, Kanu’s actions were as destabilising as those of other violent groups and should be treated with equal seriousness.
Awomolo also urged the judge to ensure that Kanu is kept in a secure correctional facility pending the court’s final pronouncement on sentencing.
He stressed the need to prevent any disruptions or security breaches involving the IPOB leader while the sentencing process is underway.
Kanu was earlier found guilty of inciting violence, ordering attacks on security personnel, calling for killings, and issuing threats capable of terrorising the public, all captured in broadcasts tendered as evidence by the prosecution.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has delivered his ruling in the case between the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the Federal Government.
Naija News reports that the judgement was given in Nnamdi Kanu’s absence after the judge had ordered security operatives to kick him out of the court over his unruly behaviour.
Nnamdi Kanu had earlier stated that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja does not have the jurisdiction to try him.
The separatist, who has been in custody since 2021, faced seven terrorism-related charges bordering on alleged incitement, running an unlawful group, and acts threatening national security.
The IPOB leader contended that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he is being prosecuted, has been repealed.
He urged the court to strike out the charges, describing them as “disclosing no offence known to law” and therefore invalid.
Kanu also requested that the court nullify the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, claiming it was obtained through deception and contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.
He further asked the court to set aside all subsequent proceedings and order his immediate release.
“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.
Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court has the authority to preside over the Nnamdi Kanu case.
The judge also stated that the matter of extradition has been settled by the Supreme Court, and he ruled against Kanu in this regard.
On the issue of fairness in the hearing for Nnmadi Kanu, Omotosho ruled against the IPOB leader, stating that the court ensured he received a fair hearing.
On the defendant not entering his defence, Justice Omotosho said: “I begged the defendant passionately to enter his defence, but he remained obsolete. That shows that he chose to rest his case on the prosecution. Which is a gamble and a risky action.”
The court found Nnamdi Kanu guilty and convicted him of count 1 in the charges filed against him by the federal government.
The Judge said: “The court will rely on the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution. This court, therefore, finds that the prosecution has discharged Count 1 beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the defendant (Kanu) is hereby convicted in respect of Count 1.”
More judgement is being read and this report will be updated as it comes in…….
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