CSOs deny alleged involvement in terrorism

• Igbokwe accuses opposition of sponsoring banditry, vandalism, others

A COALITION of 73 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has condemned allegations made by an unnamed former Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of the Nigerian Air Force, accusing non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Nigeria’s North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions of aiding terrorism.

The coalition described the allegations as baseless and harmful to efforts to combat insecurity. The claims, as reported in a medium (not The Guardian) on January 16, 2025, titled, “Why Boko Haram, Bandits Thrive: How NGOs, Others Aid Terrorists — Former Generals, Commanders,” accused NGOs of providing covert sponsorship to terrorists. However, the CSOs have refuted these claims, labelling them as an unjustified smear against organisations that provide critical humanitarian support in conflict-affected regions.

In a joint statement signed by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and 70 others, they maintained that NGOs in Nigeria operate under strict regulatory frameworks, including anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.

They argued that such unfounded accusations divert attention from systemic failures that allow terrorism to thrive, including poverty, inequality, corruption, and porous borders.

The organisations also highlighted the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 72/284, which urges states to ensure that counter-terrorism measures do not impede humanitarian activities. They cautioned that such allegations could jeopardise the safety of aid workers and deepen Nigeria’s security crisis.

The statement called on the Nigerian government and military to focus on disrupting terrorist networks rather than targeting civil society.

The CSOs also urged authorities to engage constructively with NGOs to address the root causes of insecurity, emphasising that civil society plays a critical role in preventing violent extremism.

The CSOs demanded that the government and military leadership address the real reasons terrorism persists, including but not limited to rampant poverty and inequality, porous borders, corruption and inefficiency in defence spending.

“It is unconscionable to malign NGOs that work tirelessly, often at great personal risk, to bring hope and relief to conflict-affected communities. 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 CSOs explained.

ALSO, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has accused the opposition political parties of sponsoring insecurity in the country. In a post on his official Facebook page yesterday, Igbokwe alleged that the opposition parties are planning to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027 via the sponsorship of banditry and other criminal activities.

The APC chieftain particularly accused them of sponsoring the vandalisation of “transmission lines”. He wrote: “The only plan they have to win elections in 2027 is to continue to encourage and sponsor bandits, unleash terror in the public space, vandalising transmission lines, sponsoring fake news, etc. It is too late. Tinubu is not their mate.”