The management of NASCO Group Nigeria has refuted claims that the corporation is involved in the funding of terrorism in the country.
David Hundeyin, a freelance investigative journalist, had issued a study alleging that the late NASCO chairman, Dr. Ahmed Nasreddin, and other key northern figures were reportedly sponsoring regional terrorism, including Boko Haram.
However, in a statement signed by Goddie Ofose, Editor-in-Chief and ex-President of BJAN, the company, NASCO Group management denounced the claim as defamatory and malicious.
NASCO said they have never, and will never be sponsors to any criminal act, organization, or violence of any kind that will disrupt the peace and tranquillity of the Nigerian state or any country in the world.
The statement added, “After the unfortunate events of 2001, thousands of people and entities around the world were subjected to various investigations.
NASCO pointed out that a detailed investigation by the UN Security Council and the US Government totally exonerated Nasreddin of all the allegations, establishing that the company was never part of any sponsorship of terrorism.
The company further cited a similar investigation done by the NIA which also exonerated them and their late boss of any act or complicity in the sponsorship of terrorism in Nigeria or in any other country.
“NASCO can also categorically affirm that it has never been associated with nor had businesses dealings with any of the persons mentioned in the false report,” the company said.
NASCO group said the report containing the allegations against it was fake and written in a clearly orchestrated manner with malicious intent, aimed at causing commercial damage to their brands.
Recall that Senator Shehu Sani who represented the Kaduna Central during the 8th National Assembly had expressed concerns and was also sceptical over allegations that the late founder of NASCO Group, manufacturers of the popular Nasco Cornflakes, Ahmed Idris Nasreddin, was part of those sponsoring terrorism in the North.