Controversy Surrounds Alleged Leak of Terror Financiers List in Nigeria
Amidst ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in Nigeria, a recent report by Daily Trust has sparked controversy. The report suggests that the federal government has uncovered the identities of 15 entities allegedly involved in terrorism financing. This development, which was reportedly revealed by the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), has raised questions about the effectiveness of previous promises to expose terror financiers.
The report indicates that the Nigeria Sanctions Committee met on March 18, 2024, and recommended specific individuals and entities for sanction due to their involvement in terrorism financing. However, the NFIU has disowned the memo, with the Head of Public Affairs stating that the organization did not issue any statement.
Among the individuals listed in the leaked document is Kaduna-based publisher Tukur Mamu, who is currently being tried for allegedly aiding terrorists involved in the Abuja-Kaduna train attack in March 2022. Other names and entities listed in the updated report include Yusuf Ghazali, Muhammad Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, and several Bureaus De Change (BDCs) and firms.
Efforts to unravel the identities of the individuals listed have not yielded any results as of press time. Additionally, four of the six BDCs allegedly named as terrorism financiers are either not registered or have been delisted by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The leaked findings also mention individuals involved in specific terrorist activities, including attacks on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. Some individuals are described as members of terrorist groups associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and the Islamic State of West Africa Province.
The controversy surrounding the leaked memo raises questions about the government’s efforts to combat terrorism financing in Nigeria. While arrests of suspected financiers have been ongoing since 2020, the recent leak has brought renewed attention to the issue. The NFIU’s disavowal of the memo adds another layer of complexity to the situation, highlighting the need for clarity and transparency in the fight against terrorism.
Daily Trust