Legislator challenges Nigerian Government to name 400 BDC operators funding terrorism

*Senator Ali Ndume, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, has petitioned the Federal Government to reveal the identities of all the over 400 Bureau De Change operators allegedly financing Boko Haram terrorists the Presidency has arrested, and carry out their trial in public

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In view of the widespread security challenges the country is currently battling to contain, Senator Ali Ndume, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, has urged the Federal Government to reveal the names of all of the over 400 Bureau De Change (BDC) operators arrested for purportedly supporting the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

The Federal lawmaker, who made the call in an interview with journalists Sunday, April 25, 2021, in Abuja, represents Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly (NASS).

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR (r), in a virtual FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, FCT   File Photo

Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in March had said the Nigerian Government arrested some Bureau De Change operators facilitating money transfers to Boko Haram terrorists destabilising the country.

The Presidential Spokesman has disclosed that some Nigerians working with the BDC operators were moving money to the Boko Haram sect from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Shehu was quoted to have said that “bureaus de change are facilitating money to terrorists …. We’ve also collaborated with the United Arab Emirates.

“Convictions have been obtained of Nigerians who send money to Boko Haram terrorists, and this occurs both domestically and internationally.

According to him, “I assure you that by the time we finish this investigation, the shocking information would surprise many Nigerians.”

Several people were detained by security agents in a nationwide crackdown on alleged Boko Haram financiers and associates, according to reports.

It was gathered the suspects were reportedly being held in the Military and DSS facilities in Abuja and other locations in the country.

However, in spite of the presidential assurance of doing justice to the masses of Nigerians in this regard, Ndume stated that Nigerians have a right to know what the government is doing about the terror-financing suspects.

The lawmaker noted: “The Presidency recently said that revealing the names of those who are supporting the Boko Haram insurgents would shock Nigerians.

“Can you imagine that Boko Haram is being funded by 400 Bureau De Change operators?

“What would the government do with the BDC operators if they are seized now? The White House has already stated that their case is private. What’s the deal with the secrecy?”

Senator Ndume further said: “The Presidency should expose the identities of all the BDC operators so far arrested and carry out their trial in public.

“If any of them is innocent, he should be allowed to go while those found guilty must be made to face the music.

“When I was wrongly accused, I was tried publicly and I was vindicated. The trial lasted six years in an open court. If there is any criminal act linked to anybody.

“No matter how highly placed, let the evidence be placed before the public, there should be no secret trial.

He added: “Nowadays, criminals are arrested and paraded without further action.

“If everyone is doing what he is supposed to do as defined by our constitution and laws, we would not have these problems.

“Citizens should expose suspicious movements.”