The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has urged Nigerians to resist the growing wave of misinformation targeted at national security leaders, warning that such narratives could weaken the morale of serving officers and embolden groups still working to destabilise the country.
His call is in reaction to allegations linking former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Lt-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), to terrorism financing.
Agbese, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, dismissed the claims, saying they were orchestrated to malign Buratai, who he said played important roles in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
“General Buratai fought Boko Haram terrorists from the front. Anyone who followed Nigeria’s security trajectory from 2015 knows that before the Buhari administration took office, Boko Haram had bombed the Police Headquarters, the United Nations building, Banex Plaza, Nyanya Motor Park, and countless mosques, churches and markets. Entire communities across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa were under the absolute control of the insurgents,” the lawmaker said.
“Under his command, Boko Haram lost grip of territories they previously occupied. Basic governance returned to towns that had been abandoned for years. Abuja, which had faced repeated deadly bombings, became safe again. The scale of devastation Nigerians experienced between 2009 and 2014 drastically reduced because of his strategic leadership,” Agbese said.
He noted that attempting to paint such a figure as a terrorism financier was not only contrary to the facts but a “grave injustice” that Nigerians must reject.
“This is a man whose career is defined by integrity, patriotism and sacrifice. To accuse him of supporting the same enemies he spent decades fighting is beyond absurd,” he said.
“We must stand firmly on the side of truth. Attempts to rewrite the sacrifices of our military heroes must be rejected in the interest of national unity and our collective security,” he said.
Resist misinformation against national security leaders – Lawmaker, Agbese warns Nigerians
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