- Former Army Chief Tukur Buratai dismisses terrorism-financing claim as false and malicious.
- Says no security, intelligence or diplomatic body has ever linked him to terror funding.
- Demands retraction from Ali-Keffi and offending publication or faces legal action.
Former Chief of Army Staff and immediate past Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.), has categorically denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing, describing the claim as entirely false and deliberately crafted to smear his reputation.
Buratai’s response was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by former Army spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd.), who said the publication behind the allegation relied solely on personal claims by retired Major-General Danjuma Ali-Keffi, which he described as baseless and malicious.
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According to the statement, no security agency, intelligence outfit, diplomatic office, judicial panel, or administrative body has ever questioned, investigated, or associated Buratai with any form of terrorism financing throughout his military and diplomatic career.
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The former Army Chief’s team said the allegation was “misleading, unfounded, and inconsistent with the principles and service record” of a man who spent more than four decades fighting insurgency and stabilising conflict-affected regions.
Usman noted that under Buratai’s leadership, the Nigerian Army reclaimed territories from Boko Haram and ISWAP, restored government authority in liberated communities, and enabled thousands of displaced families to return home.
They expressed disappointment—though not surprise—that Buratai was again targeted in what they see as an orchestrated attempt to tarnish his public image, adding that similar efforts in the past had all failed.
Buratai has demanded an immediate retraction and public apology from both Ali-Keffi and the publication that carried the report.
He warned that failure to comply would leave him with no option but to initiate legal proceedings to protect his name..
