Boko Haram

By Sale Rusulana Yanguruza 

When a leader and loved one passes away, we often reflect on their legacy, the meaning of their life, the impact they made during their lifetime, and the significant contribution they made to society. Upon receiving the sad news about the demise of the immediate former President Muhammadu Buhari, what quickly came to mind was his honourable and distinguished efforts to end insecurity, eliminate corruption, and transform the agricultural sector in Nigeria.

His love for Nigerians prompted him to contest in three elections, and he lost the first two. The losses made him shed tears, but he still contested again. He didn’t give up and strived in 2015; he won and was declared the winner of the presidential election. On corruption, Buhari wasn’t just a fighter against corruption in Nigeria; he was a leader who despised untrustworthy individuals. A president who came to office with a unique energy aimed to end his enemy,”corruption”, and politicians who loot citizens’ property.

When Femi Adesina was granted an interview immediately after Buhari’s demise was announced, he boldly said, “Buhari was as clean as a whistle. Nobody can accuse him of anything that has the slightest affinity to corruption.” Adesina’s words imply that Buhari was incorruptible, as no one could accuse him of corruption; his life was a testament to his integrity. While Buhari saw corruption as a disease that was drastically hampering and tempering development in Nigeria, he stated, in his words during an anti-corruption speech in 2016, “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.”

No one can doubt Buhari’s assertion that corruption must be eradicated before Nigeria can develop. However, unfortunately, during his first tenure, Buhari made significant efforts to ensure that all stolen assets by politicians were returned to Nigerians and implemented measures to prevent further occurrences. Yet, as time went on, Buhari was said to be poised, which led him to spend about three months abroad during his first tenure as the president of Nigeria. That story paved the way for a lot of rumours, which people spread, saying he had died, but with God’s grace, he was back and continued with his activities, finished his tenure, and sadly, today, he has met his maker.

Buhari has backed his commitment by putting in place some necessary measures, such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Whistle-Blowing Policy, and the establishment of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, to combat the systemic theft of public resources and, by extension, its pernicious effects on human rights and development. Yes, Buhari is known for Mai Gaskiya, which earned him votes in 2015. He was the first president who made leaders who had stolen the country’s finances fear him when he was declared president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015, beating the incumbent president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

 Looked at Buhari and Boko Haram

When Buhari was elected, before his swearing-in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2015, he met with the President of Chad, Idriss Déby, to discuss collaboration on ending insecurity, particularly from Boko Haram in Borno State. Buhari didn’t stop there; he took an official visit to Niger to discuss the issue with the president, aimed at addressing the Boko Haram problem. As Vanguard reported on June 1, 2015, the visit by the newly inaugurated Nigerian leader to Niamey was directed and aimed at decapitating the head of the group as a final solution to the insurgency that had wreaked havoc on the country’s North-East region.

Do you know that Buhari’s first trip as president of Nigeria to an outside country was about insecurity? 

Chad and Niger were Buhari’s first foreign visits outside Nigeria after he was sworn in as president, with the matter of insecurity bedevilling the region, particularly in the northeast. In his inaugural speech in 2015, Buhari said, “The most immediate challenge is Boko Haram insurgency. Progress has been made in recent weeks by our security forces, but victory cannot be achieved by basing the Command and Control Centre in Abuja. The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. But we cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents. This government will do all it can to rescue them alive.”

To support Buhari’s statement, when I attended the Town Hall Meeting organised by News Central Television in Maiduguri, Professor Babagana Umara stated that the Chibok Secondary School, where the girls were abducted, had reopened and is running actively, with Teaching and learning currently taking place in the school.

Undoubtedly, all this was part of the efforts put in by the former President of Nigeria, President Muhammadu, who gave his attention and good synergy to end it. Without a doubt, the long-standing insecurity in the region was drasticallyreduced. Though Boko Haram has carried out some recent attacks, one cannot deny the fact that the former President was at the forefront in reducing it in the region during his tenure.

Is Buhari an Agricultural Transformer? 

Buhari has always been a president who advocated for Nigerians to take agriculture very seriously. President Buhari stated this while delivering a lecture on Tuesday in Abuja at the launch of the National Young Farmers Scheme, a program designed by the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA). The program aims to spark greater interest among young people in farming.

According to the President, agriculture remains the backbone of the Nigerian economy, being the largest contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Although the advice was intended for Nigerians, today our youth have largely accepted the President’s advice and returned to farming, which they were previously unable to do.

Legacy is not leaving something for people; it’s leaving something in people.” – Peter Strople

Rest in perfect peace, Baba.

Sale Rusulana Yanguruza wrote via salesaifullahi931@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Nigerian military forces operating in the restive northeast have killed at least 24 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents during a series of intense offensives conducted between July 4th and 9th, the Army announced Wednesday.

Troops from Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), supported by air power and local forces including the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and hunters, executed multiple successful ambushes, patrols, and clearance operations across Borno and Adamawa states.

According to a statement by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations for the Theatre Command, the operations targeted terrorist movements, logistics networks, and hideouts.

Key engagements included:

1.Ambush at Platari (July 4): Troops killed 3 insurgents on bicycles moving from Sambisa Forest towards the Timbuktu Triangle.

2.Ambush near Komala (July 4):One terrorist was neutralized; troops recovered motorcycles, sprayers, pesticides, and food.

3.Night Ambush near Kawuri (July 4): 2 terrorists transporting logistics were killed; salt, seasoning, and detergents seized.

4.IDP Camp Interception, Madarari (July 5): Troops prevented terrorists from accessing a camp, killing one and recovering ammunition.

5.Fighting Patrol at Leno Kura (July 5): 3 insurgents killed during an assault on their enclave.

6.Night Ambush near Ngoshe/Gava (July 6): One terrorist neutralized at a suspected crossing point.

7.Ambush near Sabsawa (July 7): 2 logistics suppliers killed; bicycles, slippers, torchlights, and other items recovered.

8.Clearance Operation at Bula Marwa (July 8): One insurgent killed, gun and uniforms recovered, camp destroyed (air support involved).

9.Joint Patrol at Pambula, Adamawa (July 8): One terrorist killed; four motorcycles and a weapon captured.

10.Tangalanga & Bula Marwa Clearance (July 9): 3 insurgents killed; camp destroyed; six AK-47 rifles, 47 magazines, and 90 rounds of ammunition recovered (air support involved).

11.Ambush at Ngailda, Manjim, Wulle (July 9): 6 terrorists killed; motorcycles and bicycles seized.

Captain Kovangiya emphasized the significance of air support and collaboration with local forces like the CJTF and hunters in the success of the operations.

He stated the offensive demonstrates the troops’ determination to cripple the insurgents and restore security for socio-economic activities in the region.

Exploitation of the areas after clashes led to the recovery of significant weapons, ammunition, logistics supplies, and the destruction of terrorist camps and life-supporting structures.

By Anwar Usman

The Kano State government has ordered a temporary stoppage of the importation of metal scraps and waste materials from the Northeastern states, especially those ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.

The order is contained in a press statement by Muhammad Dahir Idris, the Director of Public Relations and Enlightenment of the ministry, which was made available to journalists.

According to the statement, the commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, AVM Ibrahim Umaru (Rtd), gave the directive on Wednesday during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Scraps and Waste Dealers, Employers of Nigeria.

Umaru said the order was due to the recent bomb explosion at the warehouse of such scrap materials along the Western Bypass Road and the Kofar Ruwa, which resulted in the loss of lives and properties.

He urged members of the association to take preventive measures aimed at preventing such occurrences and ensure that explosives are not present in scrap materials before they are imported into the state.

“As Kano State will continue to protect your interest and your business, you should come up with a written policy and plans that will boost your business,” the commissioner urged the association.

On his part, the Regional President of the association, Aminu Hassan, informed the commissioner that his association had already ceased purchasing scrap and waste materials from states affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

He assured Umaru that they would continue to be law-abiding business partners, just as he emphasised the need for the Kano State government to support them in improving their businesses.

The president further outlined some challenges bedevilling the association, including the inflow of underage children as scavengers, even as he readily disassociated the group from any form of involvement in the use of children as scavengers in the business.

However, he blamed the parents or guardians of such children and wards for their poor moral upbringing.

Hassan assured the commissioner that his association would not relent in its efforts to prevent the future occurrence of such incidents.

By Oladoja M.O

A peculiar tragedy defines the Nigerian state—a complete surrender of responsibility by those elected to bear it, a full-blown case of irresponsibility institutionalised at the highest levels. It is as if we are not being led at all. It is as if we are simply being watched, pitied, and narrated to. Our so-called leaders behave like helpless spectators, not as those with the authority to fix the very problems they moan about.

Shamefully, Nigeria lacks leadership. Instead, it has men and women who love the microphone more than the mandate. We are not governed; we are narrated. Commentators rule us.

Just days ago, a State Governor resurfaced with yet another alarming statement: that Boko Haram has infiltrated the government. Again. This is not the first time he has said something like this. Several times, he has come out to decry the killings, to point fingers, to lament the destruction. And every single time, one question keeps hanging in the air. What exactly has he, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, done about it? What has he changed? What systems has he challenged? What heads have rolled under his watch? Where is the real action beyond the endless news appearances and emotional speeches? It is not enough to wear a bulletproof vest and take a stroll in a burned village. That is not leadership. That is performance.

I mean, this individual is not a social media activist. He is not a political analyst. Not a powerless citizen. He is not a sympathiser. He is a sitting governor, for goodness’ sake! He has the resources, influence, and intelligence at his disposal. If all he can do is complain, then he has failed. And that is the bitter truth. Or how did the weight of office shrink to the mere performance of sympathy and public outrage? Because, for all I know, leaders do not just point to problems. They solve them. They don’t weep when the house burns. They command the water. But what we see here is the opposite. 

It is as if holding public office in Nigeria has been reduced to a loud-speaking exercise. The governor speaks. The senators speak. The representatives hold press conferences. Everybody speaks. But nobody leads. They describe problems they were empowered to solve, like detached observers, rather than active change agents. It is nauseating. It is tragic. It is dangerous because this governor is just one symptom of a far deeper rot. 

Nigeria’s leadership structure is littered with voices that echo sorrow and rage without ever lifting a finger to stop the bleeding. The National Assembly, for instance, has become a festival of talkers. Lawmakers who go to the chambers not to legislate, but to lament. Some of them even act as if their job is to criticise the government when in fact, they are the government. You hear them talk on TV and wonder if they were mistakenly sworn into opposition. These are people elected to craft laws, drive policies, and oversee the executive. Instead, they pick microphones and begin to “express worry”, “condemn in strong terms”, and “call on the federal government”, as though they are not the federal government themselves. It is embarrassing. It is pathetic. It is a national disgrace that the loudest voices in power are often the most passive in a country so battered.

And the tragedy is even louder when we look at the so-called new breed. For instance, Peter Obi has earned some Nigerians’ admiration because they see in him a departure from the past. But in reality, he’s just the same recycled blaming and deflecting game-player. Recently, when asked about the internal crisis tearing through the Labour Party, a party he is seen as the head of, his response was a flat finger-pointing exercise. He explained who caused what and who did what. Zero sense of responsibility. No ownership, nor a plan to fix it. Is it hard to understand that leadership is not explaining the problem but solving it? What are we banking on if someone aspiring to govern 200 million people cannot manage internal party squabbles?

Being soft-spoken and throwing statistics around is not leadership. Nigerians need people who carry the weight of responsibility and act with urgency, not people who are always ready with talking points. 

This country is bleeding. Virtually every region, every sector, every institution is either hoping to set into recovery or picking up the pieces. From poverty to insecurity, from joblessness to healthcare collapse, from fuel inflation to decaying infrastructure, we are a nation gasping for air. And what do our leaders do? They gather at events and in press briefings to express sympathy. They talk. They hold conferences. They issue long tweets. And then they disappear. It is now a full-blown epidemic. Everyone in power wants to talk about the problem. No one wants to be responsible for the solution. They love the headlines. They love the interviews. But they vanish when it is time for hard decisions, bold reforms, and deep accountability.

This is not what leadership looks like. Leadership means bearing the burden of others. It means thinking, planning, executing, sweating, failing, trying again, and never passing the buck. But Nigerian leaders today see power as a shield from responsibility. To them, power is for glory, not for duty. It is for the title, not for toil. And we, the people, must also take some blame. Because time after time, we bring these same people back. We vote them in. We defend them. We hail them. We wash, rinse, and repackage them for another round of useless governance. It is insanity.

A time must come, and it should be now, when Nigerians wake up to the bitter reality that democracy today is mostly a circus—a time when we say it clearly and loudly: enough with all the empty noise. We do not want more commentators, glorified orators, or prophets of doom in positions of power.

We want leadership. Real, practical, accountable leadership.

If you are in the office, your job is not to narrate the problem. Your job is to change it. If you are the governor and your people are being killed, we expect action, not pity. If you are a senator and the economy is crashing, we expect reform, not press conferences. Don’t blame others if you are a party leader and your house is on fire. Fix it. Nigeria can no longer afford leaders who vanish when it matters most. We cannot survive another decade of commentators posing as commanders. The country is on the brink, and what we need now are not voices of complaint, but minds of action and hearts of steel.

Until that happens, let the records reflect it. We are not being led. We are being narrated to. And that is the greatest insult of all.

Oladoja M.O writes from Abuja and can be reached at: mayokunmark@gmail.com

By Uzair Adam

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has imposed an immediate ban on the sale of petrol across Bama Local Government Area, including Bama town and Banki, as part of renewed efforts to address persistent security challenges in the region.

The move followed consultations with security agencies and is aimed at restricting the supply of fuel, which authorities believe may be aiding insurgent activities.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Maiduguri by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Malam Dauda Iliya.

“I have directed the immediate ban on the sale of petrol in Bama town, Banki, and other parts of Bama Local Government Area,” Governor Zulum was quoted as saying.

He emphasized that the directive would be strictly enforced, warning that violators would face legal consequences.

“There will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of this ban. Security agencies have been instructed to clamp down on any filling station or individual found violating the order,” the governor added.

Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring peace in the state and urged residents to cooperate with security efforts aimed at ending insurgency.

He has consistently rolled out policies targeting the disruption of supply lines and mobility of insurgent groups in Borno’s conflict-affected zones.

By Uzair Adam

An army captain and a soldier have been killed following a fresh attack by Boko Haram insurgents in Izge community, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The terrorists reportedly stormed the community around 1 a.m. on Wednesday and engaged troops in a gun battle.

Confirming the incident, the Emir of Gwoza, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, said the attackers met strong resistance from the military and local security groups.

“It’s true that my people in Izge community came under Boko Haram attack around 1 a.m. Unfortunately, a captain and a soldier paid the supreme price,” he said.

He, however, noted that the joint efforts of the military, Civilian JTF, local hunters, vigilantes, and community members led to the killing of three insurgents.

He added that the attackers abandoned more than 10 motorcycles and weapons before fleeing into the bush, where security operatives are currently pursuing them.

While praying for the souls of the fallen soldiers, the monarch applauded their bravery and sacrifice in defending the area.

“May Allah (SWT) grant the departed souls Jannatul Firdaus. Our gallant men are still in the bush, sacrificing their lives to maintain peace,” he said.

He also appreciated the Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, for the consistent logistics support and urged the federal government to equip security operatives with advanced technological tools to fight terrorism.

The North East region has witnessed a spike in insurgent attacks. On Saturday, at least four soldiers were killed in an attack on the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA of Yobe State, where equipment was also destroyed.

That attack occurred less than a day after the North East Governors Forum met in Damaturu, adopting a multidimensional approach to address insecurity in the region.

Buni Yadi is about 65 kilometers from Damaturu and is the hometown of the state governor, Mai Mala Buni.

The latest assault comes two weeks after President Bola Tinubu charged service chiefs to end the persistent killings.

By Muhammad Abubakar

A recent surge in jihadist attacks in northeastern Nigeria has sparked concerns over a potential comeback of extremist groups in the region. Over the weekend, at least 48 individuals lost their lives in coordinated assaults across Adamawa and Borno states, marking one of the deadliest periods in recent months.

Security analysts attribute this uptick in violence to a reduction in infighting between Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The groups have reportedly adopted advanced tactics, including the use of armed drones and roadside explosives, indicating increased tactical support and funding from the Islamic State.

In Borno State, Governor Babagana Zulum has warned of militant regrouping in the Lake Chad and Sambisa Forest regions, noting a lack of strong military response. The Nigerian military has yet to comment on the situation.

The resurgence of these extremist groups poses a significant threat to the stability of northeastern Nigeria, a region that has endured over 15 years of insurgency.

Analysts caution that without a robust and coordinated response, the region may witness a return to the heightened levels of violence experienced in previous years.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, recently claimed that the country has recorded over 90% improvement in security under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He made this assertion in Jos, Plateau State, during a press briefing following a strategic meeting with the Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Folusho Oyinlola. The meeting was convened after a deadly gunmen attack on the Bokkos community, which tragically claimed the lives of hundreds of residents.

Given the context of recent violence, Ribadu’s statement sparked mixed reactions from across the political spectrum. Critics argue that the NSA’s comments are aimed at shaping public perception as politicking for the 2027 general elections approaches. They view the remarks as part of a broader political narrative to build confidence in the administration. On the other hand, supporters commend Ribadu for leading an effective national security strategy, asserting that the improvements are tangible and worth acknowledging.

However, beyond partisan sentiments and political interests, it is essential to examine Ribadu’s claim from an objective standpoint grounded in verifiable data and realistic context. Security issues are too critical to be reduced to rhetoric, hey must be measured by real outcomes that affect the lives of everyday Nigerians.

Regardless of our political leanings, there have been undeniable improvements in some of Nigeria’s most dangerous zones. For example, the Birnin Gwari–Lagos highway in Kaduna State, which was shut for nearly a decade due to the menace of armed bandits, has now reopened to motorists, especially heavy-duty vehicles that previously avoided the route. The once-abandoned Birnin Gwari cattle market, inactive for over ten years, is now gradually returning to life with commercial activity.

Similarly, the Abuja–Kaduna highway, previously infamous for rampant kidnappings and ambushes, is now operational 24 hrs under constant military and police surveillance. Other major highways, such as the Kaduna–Kano expressway and the Jos–Akwanga–Lafia–Abuja corridor, now also witness 24-hour vehicular movement, marking a sharp contrast to the fear and hesitation that characterized travel in these areas just a few years ago.

Still, it’s important to remember that security is both delicate and dynamic. A full year of relative peace can be overshadowed by a single horrific incident. Groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, and various bandit factions, such as the Lakurawa and Ansaru cells, still carry out attacks on soft targets in rural and semi-urban areas. While the overall frequency and scale of these attacks may be decreasing, their sporadic nature continues to pose serious challenges.

Between 2022 and 2024, several Nigerian security and intelligence agencies have reported significant gains. The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) indicated a 65% reduction in overall crime and criminality nationwide since May 2023. This figure is based on cumulative data from military operations, police reports, and inter-agency assessments.

The Department of State Services (DSS), particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), recorded a significant decline in high-profile crimes, including kidnappings, armed robberies, and terrorist threats, through 2023 and into early 2024.

The Nigeria Police Force also published extensive data on its security efforts: between 2023 and early 2024, police operations led to the arrest of 30,313 suspects linked to serious crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and banditry. In the same period, 1,984 illegal firearms were recovered, along with 23,250 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, 1,581 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued across various states.

The proliferation of small arms and light weapons has long fueled Nigeria’s insecurity. However, between 2022 and 2024, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) recorded historic achievements. In February 2023, the Centre announced that it had recovered more than 10,000 small arms and light weapons from non-state actors during nationwide disarmament operations. By February 2024, the total number of retrieved weapons had increased to 20,000 firearms and over 60,000 units of ammunition.

Furthermore, in September 2024, the NCCSALW undertook the destruction of 30,132 recovered weapons, ranging from decommissioned and unserviceable arms to illicitly owned firearms.

The Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Army, have achieved notable success over the past three years. Between 2022 and 2025, military operations resulted in the neutralization of more than 8,034 terrorists across various theatres of operation, including the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions. In February 2024 alone, 105 terrorists were eliminated during targeted counterterrorism operations. and 140 capture

A total of 6,376 kidnapped victims were rescued from insurgent enclaves and bandit hideouts in 2024 alone, thanks to joint operations involving the Army, Air Force, and local vigilante groups. These successes have contributed significantly to restoring public confidence in the state’s ability to respond to threats.

Additionally, by December 2024, the Nigerian military had dismantled numerous terrorist camps and degraded the operational capabilities of insurgent groups in several flashpoints. More than 20 high-profile bandit leaders and commanders were eliminated in precision operations, including:

 1. Ali Kachalla (Ƙawaje)

 2. Kachallah Dogo Kwaddi

 3. Lawali Dodo

 4. Ɓoderi

 5. Sani Wala-birki

 6. Kachallah Hana-Zuwa

 7. Damina

 8. Kachalla Sani Dangote

 9. Kachalla Adamu

 10. Halilu Sububu

 11. Baleri

 12. Modi Modi

 13. Kachalla Mai Shayi

 14. Kachalla Tsoho Lulu

 15. Ibrahim Nagure

 16. Kachalla Makore

 17. Bulak

 18. Tukur Sharme

 19. Hassan Ɗantawaye

 20.Ɗan-Isuhu

These names had long terrorised communities, operated illegal taxation systems, and masterminded large-scale abductions. Their deaths signal a turning point in Nigeria’s war against insecurity—at least in the short to medium term.

Critics, supporters, and objective observers alike hold valid perspectives on Ribadu’s claim. Security cannot be judged solely by statistics or isolated incidents—it must be assessed holistically, with a view to sustainability. While it would be inaccurate to declare total victory over insecurity, the data and field reports suggest that Nigeria is making measurable, strategic progress.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with complex internal threats, public expectations remain high. Citizens want not just temporary relief but long-term stability. Ribadu’s statement may be politically timed, but the figures back up his assertion, at least in terms of trend and direction. Whether or not one agrees with the 90% figure, one thing is clear: the tide appears to be gradually turning in favour of the state.

The challenge now is to sustain these gains, institutionalise reforms, and ensure that security is perceived and lived by every Nigerian in every part of the country.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

The U.S. government has announced plans to investigate past foreign aid allocated to Nigeria and other countries, following President Donald Trump’s 90-day suspension of foreign assistance. 

The decision comes amid concerns about global destabilization and whether aid aligns with American interests.

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria confirmed ongoing efforts to track past assistance provided by the U.S. government. 

The Mission also condemned the violence and loss of life caused by Boko Haram, the extremist group designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. Secretary of State in November 2013.

The review aims to ensure transparency and accountability in aid distribution while addressing security challenges in affected regions.

By Maryam Ahmad

A groundbreaking congressional investigation has forced lawmakers to acknowledge a long history of U.S. government involvement in financing extremist organisations, including Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, the Taliban, and ISIS.

The findings, revealed in a classified report leaked to the press, outline decades of covert operations, indirect funding, and intelligence blunders that have inadvertently empowered terrorist groups worldwide.

The report details how U.S. aid, weapons, and financial resources intended for allied forces or opposition groups often ended up in the hands of militants.

It cites instances where American-made arms supplied to anti-Soviet fighters in the 1980s ultimately bolstered the Taliban and where funding to Syrian opposition forces found its way to ISIS affiliates.

Lawmakers from both parties have responded with shock and calls for greater oversight. “This is a sobering moment,” said Senator James Holloway (R-TX). “We must rethink our foreign policy strategy to ensure that American resources are never again used to fuel extremism.”

The White House has yet to issue a formal response, but officials insist that past mistakes should not overshadow ongoing counterterrorism efforts. Meanwhile, critics argue that these revelations confirm long-held suspicions about U.S. interventionist policies and their unintended consequences.

The investigation’s full findings are expected to be declassified in the coming months, raising further questions about accountability and the future of American foreign aid.