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“Government Officials Sponsoring Terrorism Against Nigeria And the State Is Aware” — Retired Defence Intelligence College Commandant, Kunle Olawunmi Says, Alleges Senators, Governors, Ministers Sponsoring Terrorism in Nigeria
“Government Officials Sponsoring Terrorism Against Nigeria And the State Is Aware” — Retired Defence Intelligence College Commandant, Kunle Olawunmi Says, Alleges Senators, Governors, Ministers Sponsoring Terrorism in Nigeria
Retired Commodore Kunle Olawunmi, a former Commandant of the Defence Intelligence College, has made a startling allegation that some Nigerian government officials, including senators, governors and ministers, are sponsoring terrorism in the country, raising fresh concerns about the possible involvement of individuals within the political establishment in activities threatening national security.
Olawunmi, a retired naval officer with experience in Nigeria’s military intelligence and defence administration, made the allegation during an interview with media personality and political scientist Edmund Obilo, where he questioned how public officials entrusted with protecting citizens could allegedly become sources of insecurity in the country.
The former defence intelligence chief alleged that individuals occupying influential positions in government, who are constitutionally and morally obligated to safeguard lives and property, are instead involved in activities that undermine the very institutions they are expected to protect.
His allegations strike at the heart of Nigeria’s prolonged battle against terrorism, insurgency and other security threats that have claimed numerous lives, displaced communities and disrupted economic activities across different parts of the country.
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Olawunmi, who previously served as Deputy Director of Defence Administration at the Defence Headquarters, expressed concern over what he described as a disturbing contradiction in which individuals entrusted with the welfare and security of Nigerians could allegedly contribute to the instability they were elected or appointed to prevent.
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In his remarks, the retired commodore questioned how elected representatives could allegedly turn against the citizens whose interests they were meant to protect, while challenging Nigerians to reflect on the implications of government officials allegedly supporting terrorism.
“The person elected to serve the welfare and security of his or her people accepts to become a source of instability to the land he’s meant to protect. Is that a point you are making?
“And that’s what is going on. I mean, you see the issue of terrorism in Nigeria. If you want us to go there, who are the people sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria? They are your officials. So how did they get to that point that they turn rogue against their citizen?
“Can you imagine that you are a senator, you are a governor, you are a minister, and we have evidence, overwhelming evidence, that you are sponsoring terrorism against your country.
“How do you imagine that? Government officials sponsoring terrorism against Nigeria. And the state is aware,” Olawunmi stated.
The retired military officer’s allegations raise serious questions about the possibility of political interference, alleged financial backing and other forms of support that could sustain terrorist activities despite ongoing security operations.
If substantiated, claims of this magnitude would have far-reaching implications for national security, public confidence in government institutions and Nigeria’s efforts to defeat terrorism. They would also raise questions about whether individuals with access to political influence and public resources could be exploiting their positions to support activities detrimental to national stability.
Nigeria has battled multiple security challenges over the years, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgencies in the North-East, banditry and mass kidnappings in parts of the North-West and North-Central regions, as well as armed violence and other criminal activities in several communities across the country.
These challenges have placed enormous pressure on the military, police, intelligence services and other security agencies, while leaving affected communities struggling with loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement and economic hardship.
Against this background, Olawunmi’s intervention is likely to intensify calls for greater transparency, stronger intelligence-led investigations and accountability for anyone found to be financing or facilitating terrorism, regardless of political status or official position.
However, the claims remain allegations attributed to the retired commodore during the interview. The specific officials he accused, the nature of the evidence he referenced and any independent verification of the claims were not established in the account of the interview presented here. No specific names or supporting documents were provided in the supplied report.
The seriousness of the allegations makes a thorough and impartial investigation essential. Any credible evidence of terrorism financing involving public officials would warrant examination by the appropriate authorities, with any prosecution conducted in accordance with the law and the rights of those accused respected.
For Nigerians who have endured years of insecurity, the central question raised by Olawunmi’s remarks is whether everyone entrusted with protecting the country is working towards that objective or whether, as he alleges, some individuals within the system may be undermining the national security effort from within.
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