Allegations of Turkish Support for Boko Haram Spark Debate on Foreign Role in Nigeria’s Insecurity
An Egyptian television programme has alleged that Turkey is supplying weapons to Boko Haram, Nigeria’s notorious terrorist group, raising fresh concerns over foreign involvement in the country’s long-running insecurity.
The claim was made during a televised interview in which the programme cited an alleged leaked phone call from several years ago, said to show that Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, transferred arms to Nigeria for use by Boko Haram.
The host described the development as disturbing given the group’s violent campaign in northern Nigeria and its history of mass killings, abductions and attacks on civilians.
Middle East analyst and journalism fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center, Raymond Ibrahim, who appeared on the programme, said the allegation did not surprise him.
He argued that Boko Haram’s access to increasingly sophisticated weapons has long raised questions among international observers, noting that similar arms have also appeared among armed groups in parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries such as Burkina Faso.
Ibrahim further linked the claims to what he described as President Erdoğan’s support for Islamist movements beyond Turkey’s borders, suggesting a broader pattern of backing militant groups operating in fragile or divided states.
He added that Boko Haram’s tactics predated those of the Islamic State group and warned that its activities have increasingly targeted Christian communities in Nigeria and the wider region.
The allegation comes amid Nigeria’s continued struggle to curb terrorism and banditry, with security experts repeatedly calling for deeper scrutiny of external funding and arms supply networks believed to be sustaining violent groups operating within the country.
