President Bola Tinubu has revealed that over 100 individuals involved in financing terrorism have been successfully prosecuted in Nigeria over the past two years.
This effort is part of the country’s strategy to combat financial crimes and disrupt the funding of terrorist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
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The announcement was delivered by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. George Akume, at the National Anti-Money Laundering, Combating Terrorism Financing, and Counter-Proliferation Financing Compliance Summit in Abuja. Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, Akume stated, “By taking away the funds, resources, and material support behind Boko Haram and ISWAP, we are denying them the ability to inflict terror on our communities and citizens.”
He further emphasized the progress made by security forces and legal authorities in addressing violent crimes. “Through the efforts of the office of the national security adviser and the attorney-general of the federation, we have prosecuted and convicted over 100 terrorist financiers in the last two years,” he noted. “It is an approach that we are utilizing as a fundamental component of our national strategies to combat serious criminal offences.”
Hafsat Bakari, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), also addressed participants at the summit, stressing the need for cooperation among key players in the fight against financial crimes. “The fight against financial crimes is not one that any single entity can win alone. It requires the collective strength and commitment of political leaders, regulators, financial institutions, law enforcement and security agencies, and international partners,” Bakari said.
