The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the Federal Government has not rushed to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers because the cases demand detailed, sensitive investigations that take time to conclude.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Idris pushed back against public belief that the government is sitting on a list of suspects without acting. He noted that the process is far more complicated than simply naming individuals and dragging them to court.
Idris comments follow rising concerns about worsening insecurity across the country and long-standing questions about why successive governments have failed to publicly prosecute anyone accused of bankrolling Boko Haram, ISWAP, or armed bandit groups.
Idris referenced earlier disclosures under former President Muhammadu Buhari that some alleged financiers had been identified, which had led to public expectations of imminent trials. Years later, no major prosecution has come forward, heightening skepticism among Nigerians.
Addressing the issue, Idris said, “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 are merits in what they said.
“You don’t say, ‘because pronouncements have been made, let me take you to court directly.’ There must be sufficient investigation carried out.”
He added that tackling terrorism is a slow and painstaking process: “Unfortunately, when you are fighting these kinds of battles, it is not something that you just sort out within a day or two.”
Idris insisted that President Bola Tinubu’s government is working tirelessly to address insecurity, noting that some gains have gone unnoticed. “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 of them have been apprehended,” he said.
On the pending announcement of ambassadors, Idris confirmed that Tinubu has completed the list and that nominees are currently undergoing security screening.
He also said Nigeria is in active talks with the U.S. and other nations to correct misunderstandings about the country’s security crisis. “We agree that ambassadors should be there (US)… There is diplomatic engagement happening between Nigeria and the United States and other countries… We are open to any kind of cooperation,” he added.
