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Information about where the rebel groups get their money and weapons is a mystery that has long been debated.
It is often surprising how such groups that usually start from poor individuals become powerful and become a link to governments that allocate billions of money to strengthen the security sector in their countries every year.
About 15 years since the beginning of the Boko Haram conflict, one of the most dangerous groups in the world, which has caused the death of at least 36,000 people and displaced millions, the debate about those who help it has arisen again.
In his conversation with Aljazeera, Nigeria’s chief of security, Lt. Gen. Musa, alleged that there was fraud in the appointment, and called on the international authorities to investigate to identify those responsible for the “terrorism”.
General Musa’s speech is coming at a time when Nigerians continue to face security problems despite the achievements of the country’s armed forces.
What did General Musa say?
General Musa stated in the discussion that they are talking to the international community on the need to investigate the sponsors of the armed forces in the country
He said, “As we speak, more than 120,000 Boko Haram members have surrendered, and most of them when they come you will see them with foreign money. How do they get foreign money? How do they get training? getting weapons? How could they have been fighting for almost 15 years? These are questions everyone should be asking,” he said.
When asked if there is anyone to blame, he said, “maybe there is something from abroad. The United Nations should come in to investigate and identify their sponsors.”
He said that not only Nigeria is affected by the problem, “West Africa and the Sahel region, and if no action is taken, the problem will affect the whole world.”
“Our only wish is for our country to live in peace, but some people don’t want it, and they are ready to do everything they can to bring us peace. I have been in the army for almost 33 years, but every time we start getting success, then others will delay us.”
When he was asked if he was blaming others in the government, he said, “Not except from the government. The matter is related to foreign countries.” However, he said they hope to end the problem in two years.
These words of the Chief of the Nigerian Army raised dust in Nigeria, this made the BBC to contact security experts in the Sahel region for more information on the words of General CG Musa.
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‘There is a smell of truth’
Barrister Audu Bulama Bukarti, who is a security researcher, said that he found out a long time ago that Boko Haram is getting help from foreign countries.
According to him, “you can say that there is a smell of truth because we have long revealed that there are international organizations that are helping Boko Haram.
“For example, since about 2011, after Boko Haram was defeated in 2009, when they retreated, the Al-Qaida group sent them about 50 million of that time and weapons with which they began to return. In 2014, Boko Haram She pledged allegiance to ISIS, and since then we have evidence that she is helping them.”
He said that some Nigerians who were convicted in Dubai for allegedly transferring money to BH, “the court documents show that the money was sent to Dubai from Turkey, the money changers are not members of Boko Haram, and they do not necessarily know the owners of the money. they just have to change and send it to their representatives in Nigeria. Then the owners of the money come and receive it, and the court documents show that they are members of Boko Haram.”
However, he said that Boko Haram and other means of obtaining funds, among such methods are to receive money from governments and agencies by committing fraud.
He said an example of this was when gang members kidnapped girls from the Chibok public school in Borno state.
Bukarti stated that a lot of money was paid to release some of the students.
Apart from the Nigerian government, Bulama said that even the French government has paid money to rescue some of its citizens who were kidnapped by Boko Haram.
Nigeria and France have not confirmed this, and have often denied paying such organizations money to meet other needs.
Bukarti also said that Boko Haram is farming and collecting taxes from fish farmers.
On his part, Dr Kabiru Adamu, the CEO of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited said that research has indeed shown that Boko Haram is receiving support from foreign countries.
However, he said that where he is a bit red is the statement that it is not known who are taking the responsibility.
He also said that a senior government official should not go to a major foreign media, “it shows the failure of the security system.”
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Opposite of opinion
However, on his part, Group Captain Sadiq Garba Shehu (Retired), who is an analyst and adviser on security and military affairs, told the BBC that so far he has not found any solid evidence to support the claim of helping Boko. It is forbidden from foreign countries.
He said, “the fact that other countries are involved in these things that are happening in Nigeria has been going on for a long time. there is no solid evidence.
He said that there is no evidence that explains the benefits that a country will benefit from if Boko Haram defeats Nigeria by war or forms a government.
What should be done?
Barista Bulama gave some ways that he thinks are the best for Nigeria to follow to solve the problem.
- Use of the terrorism prevention act which explains how to prevent the flow of money.
- Anyone who wants to send money to Nigeria, even if he does not go through a bank, must establish a business.
- The Nigerian government led the investigation and asked for international cooperation and expertise.
- Make sure to restrict the ways in which the organizations spend money.
On his part, Kabiru Adamu said that there should be coordination between the security agencies because according to him, “There is the NFIU, which has the right to monitor the trafficking of terrorist funds, and it has many ways to They even arrested some. But the problem is that those who were arrested are not punished.”
He said that the Nigerian parliament has a role to play in order to monitor and ensure that every party is doing the right thing.
Regarding the fear of other armed groups in Nigeria starting to receive support from foreign countries, Kabiru Adamu said that all criminal groups use foreign groups. “They are groups that are related to jihadist groups such as al-Qaed and ISIS. Then there are international criminal groups that use the means of money and human trafficking and support terrorism with such funds. “
