Northern Politicians Admits Funding Boko Haram By-Way Of Protection Payments!

Investigations by security agencies has revealed that many politicians in the North-Eastern part of the country are funding the Boko Haram terrorist group through the payment of “Protection Money”.

This was revealed on Friday by a top security officer who spoke to the media on the condition of anonymity.

According to the officer, “we are investigating the source of funding of the insurgents, it will surprise you to know that some politicians that we interrogated have admitted that they have been remitting protection money to the terrorists to protect their family members, businesses and other interests”.

“At a recent chat, three political office holders in the troubled zone were confronted with evidence of their paying money to certain persons and they admitted it, but claimed it was for the protection of their interests. And these are the same people who would go out to accuse the security forces of all sorts of allegations,” the source said. The source, however, declined to disclose what step would be taken against such people after the conclusion of investigations.

It was also gathered that a recent press conference addressed in Abuja by leaders of the zone led by a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Al-amin Dagash, is being viewed with serious concern by both the presidency and the security forces.

Dagash, with former Finance Minister, Adamu Chiroma and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, among others, a few days ago, called for an end to emergency rule in the North East and withdrawal of troops from Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. They insinuated official complicity in the unending mass killings in those states.

“The system is under serious pressure to withdraw the troops. It is considering the demands of the political elite of the areas who recently claimed that they are representing their people and that the troops be withdrawn.

“If the government would concede to such demands and there is any untoward consequence, the people should know those to be held responsible.

“They said they represented the people. But who are the representatives of the people now? Is it elected political leaders or these people who are making false claims and throwing influence about? Whatever it is, the government is not taking it lightly with their position on the military operations going on there. Government has a duty to protect the people but if these pressures continue, there may be some drastic measures on these operations,” the source warned.