Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has dismissed allegations linking former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), to terrorism financing, describing the claims as “reckless, fabricated, and utterly unacceptable.”

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, Agbese said the accusations circulating on social media were a deliberate attempt to malign the former Army Chief, who he said made immense contributions toward strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture during his military career.

He lamented that an officer who “made significant sacrifices for Nigeria” was being targeted with allegations that contradict “everything he has stood for throughout his public service career.”

Agbese particularly faulted attempts to link Buratai to Boko Haram sponsorship, insisting the claims were both illogical and insulting to Nigeria’s security history under the Buhari administration.

He said, “General Buratai fought Boko Haram terrorists from the front. Anyone who followed Nigeria’s security trajectory from 2015 knows that before the Buhari administration took office, Boko Haram had bombed the Police Headquarters, the United Nations building, Banex Plaza, Nyanya Motor Park, and countless mosques, churches and markets. 

“Entire communities across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa were under the absolute control of the insurgents.”

According to him, Buratai’s leadership as Chief of Army Staff led to the recovery of captured territories, stabilisation of the North-East, and the restoration of public confidence.

“Under his command, Boko Haram lost grip of territories they previously occupied. Basic governance returned to towns that had been abandoned for years. Abuja, which had faced repeated deadly bombings, became safe again,” Agbese said.

He added that Buratai also contributed to the reduction of other security threats nationwide.

He said, “The de-escalation of violent criminal groups, including IPOB’s militant wing and various armed gangs across the country, was part of the broader national security gains recorded during his service.”

Agbese argued that portraying Buratai as a terrorism financier amounted to “a grave injustice” that Nigerians must reject.

 “This is a man whose career is defined by integrity, patriotism and sacrifice. To accuse him of supporting the same enemies he spent decades fighting is beyond absurd,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to resist misinformation targeted at national security leaders, warning that such narratives could weaken military morale and embolden violent groups. 

“We must stand firmly on the side of truth. Attempts to rewrite the sacrifices of our military heroes must be rejected,” he said.

Vanguard News