Nigeria has urged the United Nations to investigate the funding and training of Boko Haram terrorists, with Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa emphasizing the need for international scrutiny during a recent interview with Al-Jazeera. Musa highlighted the flow of international funding to the terrorist group and questioned how they have managed to sustain themselves for 15 years. “The problem is that I think we have talked to the international community. Lets find out the funding. As we speak, over 120,000 Boko Haram members have surrendered, and most of them came with hard currency. How did they get it? How are they funded? How did they get the training? How did they get the equipment? The UN needs to come in because we need to trace the funding. It is international flow, and we dont have control over that,” he said. When asked about his suspicions regarding the continued strength of Boko Haram, Musa pointed to a possible “international conspiracy,” stating, “How are they being able to sustain themselves for 15 years? That is one question I think everybody should ask themselves.” While he did not specify who might benefit from Nigeria’s destabilization, he stressed the regional and global implications of the conflict, warning that “West Africa, the Sahelian area, and in fact, if actions are not taken, it is going to engulf the entire world.” He expressed frustration over the challenges Nigeria faces in obtaining military equipment despite having the funds to purchase them, saying, “We have a procurement procedure which is being followed. And to also state that even with our monies at times, we find it difficult getting equipment. And the question is: why? One of the reasons why this insurgency has been for this long is because we have been denied access to equipment. Even when we have our monies to get it, it is difficult.” General Musa dismissed the idea of foreign military bases on Nigerian soil, asserting the country’s capacity to secure itself and its region. “Not at all! We do not encourage any foreign bases. We have the capacity to secure our country, to secure the sub-region and to assist Africa. We have that capacity. All we need is to continue to do joint training, which we do, get equipment that we need to help us project these wars,” he said. Security sector reform expert Chukwuma Ume supported the call for a UN investigation, urging the federal government to formally request an inquiry into terrorist funding. “Nothing is wrong with what the CDS said in seeking the support of the UNWorld over, when any country has issues with man-made issues or natural disaster, you seek support, capacity, intervention and even intelligence from other members of the international communities,” Ume said. However, he stressed that Nigeria must also demonstrate its commitment to good governance, human rights compliance, and adherence to rules of engagement for the international community to take its request seriously. Meanwhile, the military has confirmed the de@ths of six soldiers and 34 terrorists following an attack on the Forward Operating Base in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed that the terrorists attempted to retaliate for the recent killing of their commander by the military. “The terrorists were taken unaware, when troops fighting patrol returning to the Base foiled their planned attack as soon as the attack commenced,” Buba stated. He added that a reinforcement team, including members of the Civilian Joint Taskforce and vigilante forces, helped overpower the attackers. The air component of Operation HADIN KAI also conducted strikes on the fleeing terrorists, resulting in 34 fatalities and the recovery of 23 AK-47 rifles and over 200 rounds of ammunition. Buba appealed for media restraint in naming the fallen soldiers, explaining that it was necessary to complete the process of notifying their next of kin. He reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to defeating terrorism in Nigeria.The post Probe Boko Harams funding and training – CDS Christopher Musa tells UN appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.Probe Boko Haramâs funding and training – CDS Christopher Musa tells UN
Nigeria has urged the United Nations to investigate the funding and training of Boko Haram terrorists, with Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa emphasizing the need for international scrutiny during a recent interview with Al-Jazeera. Musa highlighted the flow of international funding to the terrorist group and questioned how they have managed to sustain themselves for 15 years. “The problem is that I think we have talked to the international community. Lets find out the funding. As we speak, over 120,000 Boko Haram members have surrendered, and most of them came with hard currency. How did they get it? How are they funded? How did they get the training? How did they get the equipment? The UN needs to come in because we need to trace the funding. It is international flow, and we dont have control over that,” he said. When asked about his suspicions regarding the continued strength of Boko Haram, Musa pointed to a possible “international conspiracy,” stating, “How are they being able to sustain themselves for 15 years? That is one question I think everybody should ask themselves.” While he did not specify who might benefit from Nigeria’s destabilization, he stressed the regional and global implications of the conflict, warning that “West Africa, the Sahelian area, and in fact, if actions are not taken, it is going to engulf the entire world.” He expressed frustration over the challenges Nigeria faces in obtaining military equipment despite having the funds to purchase them, saying, “We have a procurement procedure which is being followed. And to also state that even with our monies at times, we find it difficult getting equipment. And the question is: why? One of the reasons why this insurgency has been for this long is because we have been denied access to equipment. Even when we have our monies to get it, it is difficult.” General Musa dismissed the idea of foreign military bases on Nigerian soil, asserting the country’s capacity to secure itself and its region. “Not at all! We do not encourage any foreign bases. We have the capacity to secure our country, to secure the sub-region and to assist Africa. We have that capacity. All we need is to continue to do joint training, which we do, get equipment that we need to help us project these wars,” he said. Security sector reform expert Chukwuma Ume supported the call for a UN investigation, urging the federal government to formally request an inquiry into terrorist funding. “Nothing is wrong with what the CDS said in seeking the support of the UNWorld over, when any country has issues with man-made issues or natural disaster, you seek support, capacity, intervention and even intelligence from other members of the international communities,” Ume said. However, he stressed that Nigeria must also demonstrate its commitment to good governance, human rights compliance, and adherence to rules of engagement for the international community to take its request seriously. Meanwhile, the military has confirmed the de@ths of six soldiers and 34 terrorists following an attack on the Forward Operating Base in Sabon Gari, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed that the terrorists attempted to retaliate for the recent killing of their commander by the military. “The terrorists were taken unaware, when troops fighting patrol returning to the Base foiled their planned attack as soon as the attack commenced,” Buba stated. He added that a reinforcement team, including members of the Civilian Joint Taskforce and vigilante forces, helped overpower the attackers. The air component of Operation HADIN KAI also conducted strikes on the fleeing terrorists, resulting in 34 fatalities and the recovery of 23 AK-47 rifles and over 200 rounds of ammunition. Buba appealed for media restraint in naming the fallen soldiers, explaining that it was necessary to complete the process of notifying their next of kin. He reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to defeating terrorism in Nigeria.The post Probe Boko Harams funding and training – CDS Christopher Musa tells UN appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
