Former Chief of Army Staff and Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Lt. General Tukur Buratai (rtd), has strongly denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing, describing them as entirely fabricated and inconsistent with his values.
Buratai made this statement on Saturday, through a release signed by former Army spokesperson, Brig. General Sani Kukasheka Usman, in response to an online report that named several prominent figures, including himself, as allegedly connected to terrorism financiers.
The statement described the accusations as “false, unfounded, mischievous,” and labelled them as part of a smear campaign intended to tarnish Buratai’s reputation. It stressed that at no point during his distinguished military career had he been questioned, investigated, or associated with terrorism financing.
The statement reads, “At no point in his distinguished career has he ever been questioned, investigated, indicted, or associated with any such matter by any official body or authority.
“No security institution, intelligence agency, judicial panel, diplomatic mission, oversight mechanism, or administrative body has ever linked him with terrorism financing in any form.”
The former Army chief dismissed the allegations, pointing out that they were based solely on unverified personal claims made by Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi (rtd) in the Sahara Reporters article. He described the publication as a “clear misrepresentation borne out of malice,” with no factual or legal basis.
Buratai’s statement further criticised the online publication for repeatedly attempting to discredit his reputation over the years, with each attempt failing due to his longstanding, transparent, and honourable service to Nigeria.
“Each attempt has failed because his record remains forthright, transparent, and distinguished by honourable service to the nation,” the statement noted.
The statement emphasised that Buratai had served the country for over four decades, with “honour, courage, and steadfast commitment” to defeating terrorism. It highlighted his leadership during the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP, where the Nigerian Army significantly degraded these terrorist groups, recovered territories, restored civil administration, and resettled displaced Nigerians.
“It defies logic and conscience to suggest that the same person who led decisive actions against terrorism would in any way be associated with the very elements he spent his career confronting,” the statement added.
Buratai’s legal team demanded that Sahara Reporters and Major General Ali-Keffi (rtd) immediately retract the allegations and issue a public apology. Failure to do so, the statement warned, would leave Buratai with no choice but to initiate legal proceedings to protect his reputation.
“Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to initiate appropriate legal proceedings to protect his reputation and seek redress for this malicious attack,” the statement said.
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