Former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff and Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has denied allegations of terrorism financing, describing them as false and contrary to his military career principles. A statement issued by Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman, a former Army spokesperson, on behalf of Buratai, termed the accusations as “baseless, misleading, and deliberately crafted to damage his name”.
The statement emphasized that Buratai has never been investigated or linked to terrorism-related financing by any security or intelligence agency throughout his career. It also noted that no official body, including military, diplomatic, judicial, or administrative panels, has associated the former Army chief with funding terrorism. The allegations, according to the statement, are based solely on personal claims by retired Major-General Danjuma Ali-Keffi, which are described as malicious and entirely unfounded.
Buratai’s team expressed disappointment, though not surprise, at the attempt to tarnish his public reputation, citing previous similar attempts that failed due to his clean and fully documented service record. The statement highlighted Buratai’s 40-year career fighting terrorism, strengthening counter-insurgency operations, and helping the military reclaim territories seized by Boko Haram and ISWAP. Under his leadership, the Army restored government presence in many communities and enabled displaced families to return to their homes.
The former Army chief has called on the publication and Ali-Keffi to retract the story and issue a public apology, warning of legal action to protect his reputation if they fail to do so. The denial comes as a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria and the region. Buratai’s reputation as a military leader and diplomat has been built on his contributions to counter-terrorism efforts, and the allegations have sparked attention from various stakeholders. The outcome of this development will be closely watched, as it may have implications for Buratai’s future roles and the broader context of regional security.