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Major General Adekunle Ariyibi confirmed that Boko Haram and ISWAP receive foreign backing, which has sustained their insurgency in Nigeria for over 15 years
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The Chief of Defence Standards revealed that these terrorist groups have advanced their operations by accessing international funding and military technology, including drones
The Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluations at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Major General Adekunle Ariyibi, has confirmed that terrorist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) are receiving foreign backing, enabling their prolonged insurgency in Nigeria.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ on Monday, Gen. Ariyibi stated that the persistent terrorist activities in Nigeria are fueled by external financial and tactical support.
Reacting to allegations by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has funded terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, Ariyibi emphasized that these groups have sustained their operations for over 15 years due to international assistance.
“There’s no doubt that such operations could not have lasted this long without some form of external collaboration and support,” he said.
He highlighted that Boko Haram and ISWAP have evolved significantly since aligning with ISIS, gaining access to international funding and advanced weaponry beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“Their allegiance with ISIS has transformed their operations. They now have access to international funding, which is evident in the caliber of weapons they use,” he noted.
Ariyibi further revealed that the terrorist groups are now utilizing drones, not just for surveillance but also for deploying weaponry, proving that foreign support extends beyond financial aid to advanced military technology.
“This external backing is their lifeline, sustaining their operations beyond local revenue from taxation and other means,” he added.