Insecurity: Ndume challenges FG to name, prosecute terrorism financiers

Senator Ali Ndume, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, has challenged the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government of Nigeria to name and arrest those that finance terrorism in the country.

Ndume , who featured on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm monitored by our correspondent said he was prosecuted by the government for sponsoring Boko Haram.

According to him, his offense was because the Department of State Services (DSS) tracked a phone and uncovered a call made by the spokesman of the insurgents.

The lawmaker who noted that that he was arrested, however criticised security agencies for not doing a proper investigation before subjecting him to public ridicule.

“If there is evidence that somebody is funding Boko Haram, there is clear evidence after doing your investigation, why don’t you tell Nigerians? Why don’t you prosecute them?” he questioned.

“Just because they were tracking my phone and they said a spokesman of Boko Haram called me, they went and arrested me. They didn’t even ask me, they didn’t do any intelligence work. The Senate President called me and said the SSS wants you to report that they have some questions”, he added.

Ndume said he reported at the DSS office thinking he would be afforded the opportunity of availing them the useful information that will help in the terrorism war.

He recalled that the then DSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, briefed journalists where he was accused of sponsoring terrorism.

The senator also called on the government to rebuild the north-east that has been ravaged by the insurgency for over a decade.

As part of the rebuilding efforts, Ndume asked the authorities to resettle the victims of terrorism, reconstruct the areas they destroyed, process and profile insurgents that voluntarily surrender to the military authorities.

Speaking further, the lawmaker also reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill,  adding that the President’s decision came as a shock to the National Assembly despite the efforts put in by the lawmakers in drafting the bill.