The Federal Government has explained why the long-anticipated prosecution of alleged terrorism financiers has yet to begin, insisting that the process requires painstaking, highly sensitive investigations that cannot be rushed.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, gave the clarification on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Idris said public expectations of immediate arrests and trials overlook the complexity of tracking and proving terror-funding networks.
He noted that despite mounting frustration among Nigerians, the government cannot simply compile names or act on public accusations without incontrovertible evidence.
“It’s not about whether a list exists or not. The issue isn’t that straightforward,” he said.
“You don’t rush to court simply because someone made a public pronouncement. Proper investigations must be carried out, and some of the concerns people raise are valid.”
Public pressure has intensified in recent years, especially after officials under former President Muhammadu Buhari announced that several suspected financiers had been identified.
Hopes for swift prosecution have since waned, with critics accusing successive governments of failing to demonstrate genuine commitment to dismantling the financial backbone of Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandit groups.
Idris, however, insisted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is not complacent. According to him, significant progress has been recorded in security operations since May 2023, even though these gains often go unnoticed.
He said, “more than 13,500 bandits, criminals, and jihadists have been neutralised and over 17,000 arrested since May 2023. Many are already facing trial, and some have been convicted”.
The minister also addressed delays in ambassadorial appointments, confirming that the President has finalised the list, which is now undergoing security vetting.
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Beyond domestic efforts, Idris said Nigeria is ramping up diplomatic engagement with the United States and other countries to correct misconceptions about the nation’s security landscape and to strengthen international partnerships.
“We are open to any regional or global collaboration American or otherwise that can help end this crisis,” he added.
Despite the persistent public demand for transparency and accountability, the government maintains that terrorism-financing prosecutions will only begin when investigations are watertight and capable of withstanding judicial scrutiny.
