In a candid interview with Al-Jazeera, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa has called for United Nations intervention to investigate the mysterious funding and training channels sustaining Boko Haram’s 15-year insurgency. The general’s frustration was palpable as he pointed to a troubling pattern: over 120,000 surrendered Boko Haram members have been found carrying hard currency, raising questions about their financial backing.
“How did they get it? How are they funded? How did they get the training? How did they get the equipment?” Musa pressed, emphasizing the need for international scrutiny of these money flows.
Without directly accusing specific parties, Musa hinted at what he called an “international conspiracy,” warning that the crisis could spread beyond West Africa and the Sahel to “engulf the entire world” if left unchecked.
He also highlighted a perplexing obstacle: Nigeria’s difficulty in purchasing military equipment despite having available funds, suggesting this has prolonged the conflict. The general firmly rejected the idea of hosting foreign military bases, asserting that Nigeria possesses the capability to secure both itself and the region.
“All we need is to continue to do joint training, which we do, get equipment that we need to help us project these wars,” he maintained.
Security expert Chukwuma Ume backed the military chief’s position, though he emphasized that Nigeria needs to demonstrate its commitment to good governance and human rights to gain international support.
“Nothing is wrong with what the CDS said in seeking the support of the UN,” Ume noted, adding that seeking international assistance is a common practice worldwide.
In related developments, the military recently fought off a significant terrorist attack on its Forward Operating Base in Sabon Gari, Borno State. The clash resulted in the deaths of six Nigerian soldiers and 34 terrorists, according to Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations. The attack appeared to be retaliation for the recent killing of a terrorist commander.
The military’s response, supported by local vigilantes and air strikes, proved decisive. Forces recovered 23 AK-47 rifles and over 200 rounds of ammunition from the terrorists. While mourning the loss of their personnel, military officials have requested media discretion in naming the fallen soldiers until their families can be properly notified.
