By Citizenship Newspaper
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has refuted claims in a media report which linked him to alleged terrorism financing.
“Our attention has been drawn to an online publication…linking the precious name of His Excellency, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd) CFR, Betara of Biu, Garkuwan Keffi, former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, with individuals alleged to be terrorism financiers,” a statement from Buratai said.
The statement titled, “Unequivocal Rejection of False Allegations Against His Excellency, Lieutenant General TY Buratai, (Rtd)” was issued on Saturday December 6 by Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), on behalf of Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd).
Gen. Kukasheka (rtd) was Director of Army Public Relations when Buratai was Army Chief. He still relates with the media and the public on issues around Buratai.
His statement reads in part: “These allegations are false, unfounded, mischievous, and amount to a smear campaign deliberately designed to tarnish his name and reputation.
“The insinuation that His Excellency was connected, directly or indirectly, to terrorism financing is entirely fabricated, inconsistent with facts, and fundamentally at odds with his values and lifelong commitment to defending Nigeria against terrorism. At no point in his distinguished career has he ever been questioned, investigated, indicted, or associated with any such matter by any official body or authority. No security institution, intelligence agency, judicial panel, diplomatic mission, oversight mechanism, or administrative body has ever linked him with terrorism financing in any form. The narrative being circulated by Sahara Reporters, relying solely on the unverified personal claims of Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi (rtd), is therefore a clear misrepresentation borne out of malice and lacks any factual or legal foundation.
“It is regrettable, though unsurprising, that Sahara Reporters has once again attempted to drag the precious name of His Excellency into disrepute, a pattern it has repeatedly pursued over the years, albeit unsuccessfully. Each attempt has failed because his record remains forthright, transparent, and distinguished by honourable service to the nation.
“For over four decades, His Excellency, Lieutenant General TY Buratai (rtd) CFR, served this nation with honour, courage and steadfast commitment to defeating terrorism. Under his leadership, the Nigerian Army significantly degraded Boko Haram and ISWAP, recovered previously occupied territories, restored civil administration, and returned displaced Nigerians to their homes. It defies logic and conscience to suggest that the same person who led decisive actions against terrorism would in any way be associated with the very elements he spent his career confronting.
“In view of this, we call on Sahara Reporters and Major General Ali-Keffi (rtd) to immediately retract their publication and tender an unreserved public apology to His Excellency. Failure to do so will leave us with no option but to initiate appropriate legal proceedings to protect his reputation and seek redress for this malicious attack.
“His Excellency remains focused on academic engagements, policy contributions, peace advocacy, and philanthropic initiatives aimed at reinforcing national development. His legacy is well documented and will not be diminished by unfounded narratives or deliberate misinformation.”
