● Retired naval intelligence chief accuses political elites of shielding insurgency financiers, warns Tinubu against “playing with fire.”
Former Deputy Director of Defence Administration at the Defence Headquarters, Commodore Kunle Olawunmi (retd.), has accused the Federal Government of knowing the sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria but lacking the political will to prosecute them.
In an exclusive interview assessing Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, Olawunmi alleged that top financiers of insurgency are deeply embedded in the country’s political structure and remain untouchable because of their influence over those in power.
“The Interpol, DSS, and other agencies already know the sponsors. The problem is political courage,” he said. “How can you arrest those who financed your rise to power? That’s why the government won’t act.”
‘Tinubu is Playing with Fire’
Olawunmi warned that President Bola Tinubu’s approach to security — which he described as “politically correct” — risks emboldening extremists and could push the country toward state failure.
“Tinubu is playing with fire. Terrorists don’t forgive. He should round up all the names given to him and try them for treason. Once they are prosecuted, terrorism will reduce by half,” the retired officer stated.
He condemned recent negotiations between some northern leaders and armed bandits in Katsina State, describing the move as unconstitutional and dangerous.
“If armed militias can meet openly with politicians, we must ask — are they negotiating on behalf of the Federal Government? Such tolerance will eventually collapse the country,” he warned.
‘Rehabilitating Terrorists Is a Dangerous Mistake’
Olawunmi also faulted the government’s rehabilitation and reintegration of ‘repentant’ terrorists, arguing that the policy could undermine national security.
“Those being reintegrated are criminals, many of them foreigners. You can’t forgive killers and place them in the armed forces. In 20 years, they’ll be major generals and turn this country into an Islamic state,” he said.
He drew a distinction between Boko Haram insurgents and Niger Delta militants, saying the latter had legitimate grievances over resource control and were never classified as terrorists.
‘Some Generals Protect Insurgents’
The former intelligence officer alleged that some senior military officers shield captured insurgents due to religious affiliations.
“We arrested Boko Haram fighters in combat, and generals ordered their release. It’s deliberate — they want to Islamise Nigeria,” he claimed.
Dismisses Coup Rumours, Defends Democracy
Commenting on recent rumours of a coup plot, Olawunmi dismissed the reports as baseless.
“It doesn’t look real to me. A coup is an aberration. Nigerians shouldn’t wish for military rule — you don’t want soldiers in power,” he said.
Olawunmi, who was once declared wanted after a televised interview under the Buhari administration, said he remains unafraid.
“I went to the authorities with Femi Falana. I’m safer in Nigeria than abroad,” he said.
Despite being denied promotion during his service years, Olawunmi insisted he holds no grudge, saying military promotions at higher levels are political, not merit-based.
He urged the Tinubu administration to “take the bull by the horns” by empowering intelligence agencies to track terror funding both locally and internationally.
“Trace the money, prosecute them, and Nigeria’s insecurity will drop drastically,” he said.
● Olawuni granted the interview from which this news story was drawn to The PUNCH.
