Terrorism in Nigeria: Unmasking the Alleged Influence of Northern Power Brokers in Sustaining Insecurity

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Nigeria’s prolonged battle against terrorism—spanning Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry, and Fulani militant violence—has raised persistent questions about the networks, enablers, and socio-political forces that allow these groups to survive. While extremist ideology, poverty, and porous borders contribute to the crisis, a growing body of public opinion, intelligence hints, and whistleblower testimonies point to another dimension: the role of influential northern political, economic, and religious elites who, intentionally or unintentionally, may be enabling, shielding, or benefiting from the status quo.

This article examines the allegations, patterns, and systemic failures that fuel public suspicion—while keeping the discussion grounded in factual analysis, political accountability, and the broader national interest.

1. The Root of Suspicion: Why Many Nigerians Point to the Northern Elite and So-Called “Cabal”

For over a decade, terrorism has been heavily concentrated in the northern regions—particularly Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger States. Yet, despite enormous federal spending on defense, military operations, and foreign partnerships, terrorist groups continue to expand.

Many Nigerians ask:

• How do heavily armed groups obtain weapons consistently?

• Who protects the financial pipelines that sustain these operations?

• Why do certain arrested suspects disappear or never face prosecution?

• Why do political statements from some leaders appear to downplay or rationalize extremist violence?

The suspicion largely stems from patterns—not proof—including repeated intelligence leaks, compromised security operations, and political interference that weaken the counterterrorism fight.

2. Political Interests and the Dangerous Incentive Structure

Some analysts argue that elements within the northern political class, politicians, non-politicians, and traditional rulers, may perceive insecurity as a tool to:

a. Retain Federal Influence

A destabilized North keeps national attention on the region, enabling political bargaining power, military resources, and federal allocations.

b. Control Local Populations

Insecurity weakens local resistance, suppresses dissent, and facilitates elite manipulation during elections—especially in rural zones under militant threat.

c. Maintain Patronage Networks

In a system where poverty and unemployment are widespread, extremist groups can become informal power structures. Control over them—direct or indirect—creates leverage.

These incentives create a dangerous ecosystem where silence, complicity, or deliberate inaction may serve political interests.

3. The Financial Web: How Terrorism May Be Sustained Through Elite Channels

a. Ransom Payments and Negotiation Cartels

The kidnapping-for-ransom economy, especially in the North-West, has become a billion-naira industry. Negotiators, middlemen, and security insiders have been repeatedly implicated in taking commissions.

b. Misappropriated Security Budgets

Investigative reports show repeated cases of:

• inflated military contracts

• unaccounted weapons

• ghost soldiers

• diverted funds intended for counterterrorism operations

Such leakages weaken the fight while indirectly empowering armed groups.

c. Export of Illegal Gold and Mineral Resources

In Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger, illegal mining has been linked to both bandit groups and political patrons. Terrorists tax miners, escort smugglers, and receive protection in return for financial kickbacks.

4. Religious Cover and Extremist Ideology: The Role of Compromised Clerics

A sensitive but critical dimension involves radical clerics and covert traditional rulers who preach extremist-leaning doctrines or provide ideological cover for armed groups. While the vast majority of Islamic leaders condemn terrorism, a small but dangerous fringe:

• normalizes violent jihadist rhetoric

• protects known sympathizers

• politicizes religion in ways that prevent accountability

This ideological pipeline acts as the oxygen that sustains radicalization.

Even when terrorists are identified, operations often fail because of:

• insider leaks within security agencies

• political interference in arrests

• lack of witness protection

• judicial delays or manipulated prosecutions

The result is a cycle where high-level sponsors and financiers rarely face justice, reinforcing public suspicion of elite involvement.

6. International Signals Reinforcing Domestic Fears

Over the years, foreign governments and organizations have raised concerns:

• The UAE publicly convicted several Nigerians for terror financing, exposing networks linked to influential figures.

• U.S. and EU reports repeatedly highlight local collaboration enabling Boko Haram and ISWAP.

• Global intelligence agencies point to arms trafficking routes where Nigerian officials may be implicated.

These signals strengthen the belief that terrorism in Nigeria survives not merely through ideology or poverty, but through protection from powerful hands.

7. Who Benefits from Prolonged Insecurity?

The beneficiaries include:

• corrupt politicians and traditional rulers leveraging chaos for electoral advantage

• security contractors profiting from perpetual conflict

• illegal mining cartels, also involving politicians, non-politicians, and traditional rulers

• extremist leaders expanding ideological influence

• foreign actors exploiting Nigeria’s weakened state capacity

In simple terms: terrorism thrives because it serves someone’s interest.

8. The Human Cost: Nigeria's Social Fabric Under Attack

While elites and cabals maneuver, ordinary Nigerians bear the burden:

• thousands kidnapped and extorted and/or murdered

• millions displaced

• farmlands destroyed, worsening hunger

• schools closed due to kidnapping

• religious communities attacked

• entire villages wiped out

This devastating trauma raises the moral question:How long will Nigeria allow power games to overshadow human life?

9. What Must Change? A Path Forward

a. Independent Terror Financing Investigations

Led by non-political bodies with international support.

b. Full Transparent Audits of Security Spending

c. Prosecution of High-Level Sponsors and Collaborators

d. Reform of Military and Police Intelligence

Root out compromised officers.

e. De-radicalization and oversight of religious institutions

De-radicalized individuals must still be charged, prosecuted, and jailed for the crimes they committed while operating as

terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, rapists, and so on. They cannot join the military, police, or any other government establishment.

f. Strengthen border and arms-control systems

This is a critical factor for controlling influx of terrorists and arms.

g. National unity against extremist politics

A divided nation cannot win a war of this scale.

Conclusion: Terrorism Will Persist Until the Power Networks Behind It Are Dismantled

While ordinary Nigerians debate along ethnic and religious lines, terrorism remains, at its core, a power, profit, and protection racket. Suspicions surrounding elements of the northern elite are not baseless—they are born from visible patterns of failure, secrecy, and inconsistent political will.

For Nigeria to defeat terrorism, it must confront not only the gunmen in the forest but also the invisible hands in high places that enable them. Ending terrorism demands courage, accountability, and a united national resolve to expose and dismantle every network—no matter how powerful.