A professor of Strategic Management and Human Capital Development, Professor Okey Ikechukwu, has alleged that the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari declined an opportunity to make public a list of Nigerians accused of sponsoring terrorism, despite an offer from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to provide the information.
Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Morning Brief’ on Friday while reacting to the recent meeting between Nigerian delegates and US Congressman Riley Moore regarding terrorism and genocide claims, Ikechukwu claimed that the UAE had, years ago, provided Nigeria with names of individuals financing terrorism.
“A few years ago, under Buhari, the UAE government offered to provide us with a list of individuals funding terrorism in Nigeria, and they are Nigerians. But what did they do? The federal government did not request that list to be made public,” he said.
He added that a senior official in the Buhari administration once argued that the identities were being withheld to “maintain the privacy and rights” of those implicated.
“No names have been made public, but those who should know, know who the sponsors of terrorism and banditry are,” Ikechukwu stated, adding that many believe perpetrators often escape accountability.
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The professor also highlighted poverty as a key factor fueling insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria.
“Yes, poverty provides a fertile soil for this kind of thing in the North. If you meet someone who is not doing anything and tell him to follow you to raid, he will follow you quickly,” he said.
Ikechukwu questioned why similar patterns of insecurity do not occur in other regions of the country.
“Why is it not happening in Lagos? Why is it not happening in Nnewi? The place is messed up. Civilian leadership is not doing enough. How many of the leaders reside in their local government?” he asked.
He further suggested that some of the perpetrators spreading banditry to southern communities are not indigenous, pointing to a clear “origination point” for the menace.