The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the Federal Government has not gone ahead with prosecuting suspected terrorism financiers because the investigations involved are lengthy, sensitive, and cannot be rushed.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Idris stressed that contrary to public assumptions, handling such cases goes beyond simply having a list of suspects and dragging them to court.
His remarks come amid renewed public concern over alleged government inaction as insecurity continues to worsen across the country. For years, Nigerians have demanded that those funding Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandit groups—especially in the North—be publicly identified and prosecuted. Although the Buhari administration previously indicated that several suspects had been identified, no major trials have followed, fuelling criticism and deepening public mistrust.
Idris explained that these matters require thorough evidence-gathering:
“It’s not about whether a list exists. It’s not that straightforward. Proper investigations must be done. You don’t take someone to court just because an announcement was made. There has to be enough evidence,” he said.
He noted that counterterrorism cases usually drag because of their complexity. “Battles like this are not resolved overnight. That’s why we keep asking our partners, within and outside Nigeria, to appreciate the diversity and complexity of the situation.”
The minister maintained that President Bola Tinubu’s government is making steady progress against insecurity. According to him, since May 2023, security forces have neutralised more than 13,500 criminals and arrested over 17,000 others, many of whom are already being prosecuted or have been convicted.
On the issue of ambassadorial appointments, Idris said the President is putting finishing touches to the list, which is currently undergoing security checks. He also confirmed that Nigeria has been in active diplomatic discussions with the United States and other countries to clear up misconceptions about Nigeria’s security challenges.
“There is ongoing engagement between Nigeria and the U.S., as well as other nations. We are explaining the situation more clearly. We are open to any form of cooperation—regional or international—to help bring an end to this crisis,” he added.
