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