The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the Federal Government has yet to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers because the matter requires complex, thorough, and sensitive investigations that cannot be rushed.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, Idris dismissed claims that government inaction stemmed from a lack of political will, stressing that the issue extends beyond simply compiling a list and immediately taking suspects to court.
His comments follow renewed public frustration over perceived government complacency amid worsening insecurity across the country. For years, Nigerians have demanded the prosecution of individuals accused of funding Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandit groups operating mainly in the North.
Under former President Muhammadu Buhari, officials announced that several terrorism financiers had been identified, raising hopes that trials would begin soon. However, no major prosecution has occurred, prompting criticism from civil society groups and security experts who say the delay fuels distrust in government efforts.
Idris explained, “It is not a question of having the list or not having the list; it is not as simplistic as that. Investigations have to be conducted. In some cases, there is merit in what people have said.
“You don’t say, ‘because pronouncements have been made, let me take you to court directly.’ There must be sufficient investigation. Unfortunately, when you are fighting these kinds of battles, it is not something you sort out in a day or two.”
The minister maintained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is “working assiduously” to tackle terrorism and other security threats, insisting that significant progress has been made since May 2023.
“Sometimes we forget the successes we have recorded. From May 2023 to date, over 13,500 of these criminals have been neutralised. Over 17,000 have been apprehended. Some are already being prosecuted and sentenced. We should recognise these efforts,” he said.