The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Jimi Benson, has explained why the identities of terrorist financiers in Nigeria cannot be publicly disclosed.

Speaking on Prime Time, a programme on Arise Television, Benson said many of these financiers have been under scrutiny for an extended period.

“The financiers of terrorists in Nigeria cannot be tried in public. Many of them have been under investigation for a long time,” he stated.

He revealed that the individuals funding terrorism are both local and international, but the government cannot reveal their identities due to security concerns.

“Some are local, and some are international. The government has done a lot in recent times. The public cannot know who they are because of security reasons. A lot of them can’t even think of financing anybody anymore. Work is ongoing, and a responsible government will handle them at the appropriate time,” Benson said.

The lawmaker reassured Nigerians that the government is working round the clock to tackle insecurity and is receiving international support in tracking and prosecuting these financiers.

“The government is working; the tracking and prosecution of these people is ongoing. There’s also significant international assistance to ensure they are brought to justice,” he added.