Nigerian government identifies 123 financiers of terrorist activities and plans to prosecute 45 soon

INFORMATION minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed has revealed Nigeria's federal government has uncovered about 123 companies and 96 individuals who are channelling funds to terrorist outfits operating in the country and plans to prosecute 45 of them soon

Since 2009, Nigeria has been fighting Boko Haram terrorist insurgents in the northeast of the country who are seeking to create a pure Islamic caliphate. Since then, the matter has spiralled out of control, with breakaway groups like Islamic State in West Africa Province (Iswap) being formed.

In addition to the insurgency in the northeast, there has been a rise in terrorist activities from Fulani cattle herdsmen, bandits in the northwest and kidnappers. In 2020, six Nigerians were convicted in the United Arab Emirates for funding the terrorist group Boko Haram and as such added to a global terrorist list.

Earlier today, Alhaji Mohamed revealed that the government has linked about 123 companies and 96 financiers with terrorism, especially those backing Boko Haram and Iswap. He added that the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) also uncovered 424 associates and supporters of the financiers and about 33 bureaux de change operations linked with terrorism.

Speaking at a briefing on the anti-corruption fight of President Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Mohammed said 45 of the suspects will soon face trial. He added: “The analysis has resulted in the arrest of 45 suspects who will soon face prosecution and seizure of assets.

"For its part, the analysis by the NFIU in 2020-2021, revealed 96 financiers of terrorism in Nigeria, 424 associates/supporters of the financiers, the involvement of about 123 companies and 33 bureaux de changes. This is in addition to identifying 26 suspected bandits/kidnappers and seven co-conspirators.