His Excellency, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), CFR, former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s immediate past Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, has strongly dismissed a recent Sahara Reporters publication linking him to individuals alleged to be terrorism financiers.
In a statement issued by Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), mni, fnipr, on behalf of the retired army chief, the allegations were described as “false, unfounded, mischievous, and a deliberate smear campaign” targeted at tarnishing Buratai’s reputation. The statement stressed that the claims—based solely on the personal assertions of retired Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi—are entirely fabricated and have no factual or legal basis.
According to the statement, at no point in Buratai’s distinguished four-decade military career has he ever been investigated, questioned, or indicted by any security, intelligence, judicial or administrative body in connection with terrorism financing. Rather, his leadership was credited with significantly degrading Boko Haram and ISWAP, reclaiming occupied territories, restoring governance, and resettling displaced citizens.
The statement condemned Sahara Reporters for what it described as a long-standing pattern of publishing unverified allegations against the former army chief, noting that such attempts have consistently failed due to his transparent record and honourable service. It called on the platform—and Ali-Keffi—to immediately retract the publication and issue a public apology, warning that failure to do so would result in legal action to protect Buratai’s name.
The former Chief of Army Staff, now engaged in academic, policy, and peace advocacy work, reaffirmed his commitment to national development, adding that no amount of misinformation would undermine his legacy of service to Nigeria.
