The Nigerian military says it found hard currencies on most terrorists, including Boko Haram members who surrendered to its superior firepower, raising serious concerns about terrorism financing in Nigeria and other African Countries.
General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence staff made the disclosure at a Media briefing on Wednesday in Abuja where he lamented that Nigeria currently does not have the jurisdiction to trace and track the source of such funds.
“We have talked to the international Community, let’s find out the funding. When they started surrending, as we speak, we have over 120,000 that have surrendered.
“Most of them when you find them, they are coming with hard currency. How did they get them? How are they funded? How did they get the training? How did they get the equipment?
“Well, maybe an international conspiracy (behind the insurgency in Nigeria), you don’t know. Who knows? How are they able to sustain themselves for fifteen years? That is one question I think everybody should ask.
“The UN needs to come in because we need to trace the funding, how are they sustaining themselves for fifteen years? (To come and) trace, and track the funding. It is international flow and we(Nigeria) don’t have control over that,” the Defence Chief said.
The Defence Headquarters also revealed on Wednesday that no fewer than 34 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were killed in a fierce battle at Sabon Gari Community, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Musa said in a statement titled, ‘Terrorists Killed in Attack on Sabon Gari in Damboa LGA of Borno State’ by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba.
The terrorists, riding on motorcycles and gun trucks, attempted to retaliate against the recent killing of their commanders but were overwhelmed by joint air and ground forces, according to the DHQ.
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