FG Uncovers Identity Of 15 Terrorism Financiers And BDCs, Plans Sanctions

The Federal government has identified 15 entities, comprising nine individuals and six Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and firms, allegedly involved in terrorism financing.

This revelation was disclosed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in an email sent to PUNCH titled “Designation of Individuals and Entities for March 18, 2024.”

According to the document, the Nigeria Sanctions Committee convened on March 18, 2024, and recommended specific individuals and entities for sanctions due to their involvement in terrorism financing.

The document stated that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, with the approval of the President, designated these individuals and entities to be listed on the Nigeria Sanctions List.

Among those named in the document is Tukur Mamu, a Kaduna-based publisher currently undergoing trial by the Federal Government for allegedly aiding terrorists responsible for the Abuja-Kaduna train attack in March 2022.

Mamu is accused of participating in terrorism financing by receiving and delivering ransom payments exceeding $200,000 US to support ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages from the attack.

Additionally, the document identifies another person as the suspected attacker of St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022, and the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja on July 5, 2022.

Furthermore, one person is described as a member of the terrorist group Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam, associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

The NFIU highlighted the expertise of one individual in designing terrorist clandestine communication codes and as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) expert.

Another person, described as a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province in Okene, is implicated in terrorist attacks in the Federal Capital Territory and the South West Geographical Zone, including the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo.

Moreover, the document reveals financial activities of several individuals, including fund transfers and ownership of entities facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Nigeria.

The NFIU emphasized the obligation of institutions and individuals under Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, to freeze and report all funds, assets, and economic resources belonging to the designated persons and entities, as well as file Suspicious Transactions Reports to the NFIU for further analysis.

The freezing obligation extends to all funds or assets owned or controlled by designated persons and entities, including those tied to specific acts of terrorism or terrorism financing, jointly owned or controlled assets, and funds derived from assets owned or controlled by designated persons or entities.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had called on Non-profit Organisations, NPOs, to join hands with it in fighting the financing of terrorism and money laundering.