Ex-minister Urges Tinubu to Hold Terrorism Financiers Accountable

A former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Nduese Essien, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately identify those funding and supporting acts of terrorism and hold them accountable, regardless of their social status.

The former lawmaker, in a statement made available to newsmen in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, also criticised the appointment of defence ministers, noting that some appointees have little or no experience in security or defence operations.

While emphasising that defence is not a political reward, Essien stressed that at a time when Nigeria is fighting highly adaptive terrorist networks, the defence sector must be led by individuals with strategic insight and operational competence.

He said, “Equally troubling are the appointments of defence ministers with little or no experience in security or defence operations.

“At a time when Nigeria is fighting highly adaptive terrorist networks, the defence sector must be led by individuals with strategic insight, operational competence, and deep knowledge of security matters.

“Defence is not a political reward; it is the backbone of national survival. Allegations that some officials harbour sympathies for terrorist groups or maintain questionable links with them only deepen public anxiety. A nation cannot defeat terror when elements of its security architecture may be compromised.”

He called on the country’s leadership to prioritise intelligence gathering, strengthen community-based security networks, and ensure that the armed forces are properly equipped, motivated, and led by professionals.

He added, “What the country needs now is a comprehensive, well-designed security strategy. It must prioritise intelligence gathering, strengthen community-based security networks, and ensure that the armed forces are properly equipped, motivated, and led by competent professionals.

“Just as important is confronting the uncomfortable reality that terrorism is sometimes enabled by collaborators within security or political structures.

“Those who fund, support, or protect terrorists, regardless of their status, must be identified and held accountable. Security should never be sacrificed for political convenience.”

Essien recalled recent kidnappings and killings across the country and expressed concern that these tragedies are no longer isolated incidents but have become daily occurrences in many parts of Nigeria.

The former minister warned that terrorism has escalated beyond what any responsible government should tolerate.

He said, “In the last few days alone, Brigadier General Musa Uba and three of his men were kidnapped and executed in Borno State. Over 64 citizens, including women and children, were abducted in Zamfara’s Tsafe Local Government Area. In Kebbi, 25 female students and their principal were kidnapped, and their vice principal was killed. Christians praying in Kwara were attacked, leaving three dead and 38 kidnapped.

“A police officer was killed in Geidam, Yobe State. In Gwoza, eight Civilian Joint Task Force members were murdered and three kidnapped. In Sokoto, 15 people, including nursing mothers and newborns, were abducted, and two were killed. Only days ago, more than 300 students were kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger State.

“These tragedies are no longer isolated events; they have become daily realities in many parts of Nigeria. The pattern of attacks has been consistent, coordinated, and increasingly brutal, showing that terrorism has grown beyond what any responsible government should tolerate.

“Schools are being shut down, families are afraid to send their children out, farmers have abandoned their fields, and worshippers no longer feel safe in their own sanctuaries. Nigeria is dangerously close to normalising terror.”

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