The Federal Government has announced the identification of 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, allegedly linked to terrorism financing. The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit disclosed this information, stating that the Nigeria Sanctions Committee recommended sanctions against these entities following their involvement in terrorism financing during its meeting on March 18, 2024. The document also named specific individuals, including Tukur Mamu, a Kaduna-based publisher currently under trial for allegedly aiding terrorists in the Abuja-Kaduna train attack. Additionally, individuals associated with attacks on the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja were mentioned. The NFIU highlighted the roles and activities of these individuals and urged institutions and individuals to comply with freezing obligations and report any suspicious transactions to the appropriate authorities in accordance with the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Another was described as “a financial courier to ISWAP Okene. She is responsible for the disbursement of funds to the widows/wives of the terrorist fighters of the group.”
According to the document, another of the individuals “in 2015, transferred N60m to terrorism convicts.”
He was also said to have “received a sum of N189m between 2016 and 2018.”
The same person is said to “own entities and business reported in the UAE court judgment as facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Nigeria.”
Another individual was said to have “received a total of N57m from between 2014 and 2017.”
Another was said to have “had a total inflow of N61.4 bn and a total outflow of N51.7bn from his accounts.”
The document further revealed that, in accordance with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, institutions and individuals are required to:
“(a) immediately, identify and freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets, and any other economic resources belonging to the designated persons and entities in your possession and report same to the Sanctions Committee;
“(b) report to the Sanctions Committee any assets frozen or actions taken in compliance with the prohibition requirements.
“(c) immediately file a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU for further analysis on the financial activities of such an individual or entity; and
“(d) report as a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU, all cases of name matching in financial transactions prior to or after receipt of this List. ”
It said the “The freezing obligation required above shall extend to
“(a) all funds or other assets that are owned or controlled by the designated persons and entities, and not only those that are tied to a particular act, plot, or threat of terrorism or terrorism financing;
“(b) those funds or other assets that are wholly or jointly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by designated persons or entities;
