A civic coalition, the Concerned Defenders of National Consciousness and Integrity, has issued a strongly worded rebuttal to a recent Sahara Reporters publication alleging links between terror suspects and several former senior government officials, including ex–Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd).
In a statement released today, the group described the December 5th report titled “Terror Suspects, Alleged Financiers Were Linked to Powerful Nigerians…” as a “reckless, malicious fabrication designed to mislead the public and malign the reputations of national patriots.”
The coalition accused Sahara Reporters of engaging in “calculated character assassination” by relying solely on claims attributed to Maj. Gen. Danjuma Ali-Keffi (Rtd), whom they described as “a disgruntled individual whose testimony lacks credibility.”
“Service and Sacrifice Cannot Be Smeared”
According to the group, the attempt to associate General Buratai and others with terrorism is not only illogical, but “an insult to the memory of fallen soldiers and the sacrifices of security personnel who battled insurgency under their command.”
They argued that the publication failed to provide any evidence, instead resorting to what they called an “abuse of the word ‘link,’ a vague term weaponised to create suspicion where none exists.”
Group Questions Sahara Reporters’ Credibility
The statement further dismissed the platform’s credibility, accusing Sahara Reporters of a “long-standing history of publishing unverified and sensational claims that have been repeatedly debunked by reputable civil society groups.”
They insisted that a matter as serious as treason allegations should be supported by “verifiable, multi-sourced evidence — not conjecture and single-sourced gossip.”
Timing Suggests a Destructive Agenda, Group Alleges
The coalition questioned the timing of the publication, suggesting it was aimed at “undermining national security efforts, distorting historical contributions, and eroding public trust in key institutions.”
“This is not journalism. It is a targeted attack on Nigeria’s collective consciousness at a time when unity is paramount,” the statement read.
Calls for Public Vigilance
The Concerned Defenders of National Consciousness and Integrity urged Nigerians and the international community to “reject the politics of suspicion and sensationalism,” and to “demand higher standards of professionalism from those who wield the power of the press.”
They reaffirmed their confidence in General Buratai and other individuals mentioned in the report, calling the allegations “baseless, unfounded, and a complete falsehood.”
“Our past, present, and future demand that we say: enough is enough,” the group concluded.
