Nigerian CSOs Reject Baseless Terrorism Funding Allegations
Civil society organizations across Nigeria have strongly condemned a recent statement made by an unnamed former Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of the Nigerian Air Force, published in Vanguard Newspapers on January 16, 2025.
The former military officer accused non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions of covertly sponsoring and funding terrorism. These unfounded and baseless claims have sparked outrage among the civil society sector, which plays a crucial role in counterterrorism efforts, especially in conflict-ridden regions.
The coalition of over 70 civil society organizations, including the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) and Amnesty International Nigeria, issued a statement denouncing these accusations.
According to the statement, these claims attempt to shift blame away from systemic failures that have allowed terrorism to thrive in Nigeria.
“Rather than confronting the real issues such as poverty, inequality, and corruption, these accusations are designed to smear and stigmatize the very organizations that have stepped in to fill the gap left by the Nigerian state,” the statement reads.
These NGOs have been pivotal in providing life-saving humanitarian assistance, education, healthcare, and psychosocial support to millions of displaced Nigerians, many of whom have fled insurgencies and banditry in the northern regions. Operating under strict regulatory frameworks, these organizations adhere to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws enforced by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). Their work, according to the coalition, is in line with international humanitarian law, which emphasizes the importance of protecting impartial medical care and humanitarian aid during conflicts.
The civil society coalition further highlighted the importance of NGOs in preventing violent extremism. “A civilian-led approach, engaging civil society and communities, is the most effective way to prevent violent extremism,” the statement noted, pointing out that NGOs play a critical role in undermining the factors that drive individuals towards terrorism and extremism.
This narrative of “NGOs aiding terrorists” is seen as a dangerous distraction from the real challenges that need to be addressed. The coalition called on the Nigerian government and military leadership to focus on disrupting terrorist funding and logistics networks rather than scapegoating civil society. “We demand that the Nigerian government and military address the root causes of terrorism, including poverty, porous borders, and inefficiencies in defense spending,” the statement urged.
The coalition also expressed concern that such inflammatory statements could lead to further attacks on humanitarian actors in Nigeria, deepening the already fragile situation in conflict-affected regions. They called for greater cooperation between the government and NGOs to effectively tackle the insecurity affecting millions of Nigerians.
“These accusations, devoid of proof, serve only to erode public trust, distract from the real issues, and undermine the critical work being done in some of the country’s most challenging environments,” the coalition emphasized, stressing the urgent need for leadership, unity, and an effective counter-terrorism strategy that strengthens, rather than weakens, civil society.
The statement concluded with a call for the Nigerian government to engage constructively with NGOs in addressing the root causes of insecurity, understanding that these organizations can contribute meaningfully to peace and development across the country.
