The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has vehemently dismissed allegations linking former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and ex-Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), to terrorism financing, labeling the claims as “reckless, fabricated, and utterly unacceptable”.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, Agbese described the claims as an orchestrated, baseless attempt to malign a figure who has made significant sacrifices in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
Agbese asserted that it was deeply unfortunate that the former Army Chief was being targeted with allegations that fundamentally contradict his record of public service.
He particularly condemned the attempt to link Buratai to Boko Haram sponsorship, calling the claims illogical.
“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,” the lawmaker stated.
He stressed that prior to Buratai’s tenure, entire communities across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states were under the absolute control of the insurgents.
The Deputy Spokesperson maintained that Buratai’s leadership marked a decisive turning point in the counter-insurgency war, leading to tangible security gains across the country.
“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. The scale of devastation Nigerians experienced between 2009 and 2014 reduced drastically because of his strategic leadership,” Agbese maintained.
He added that the former COAS’s impact was not limited to the North-East, noting a significant reduction in other threats.
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 concluded that attempting to paint such a figure as a terrorism financier was not only contrary to the facts but 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 insisted.
He urged Nigerians to resist the growing wave of misinformation targeted at national security leaders, warning that such narratives could weaken the morale of serving officers.
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