The Nigerian government has reportedly designated 15 individuals and entities as suspected financiers of terrorism, according to a document issued by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.
The list, titled “Designation of Individuals and Entities for March 18, 2024,” includes nine individuals and six Bureau De Change, BDC, operators or firms.
Among the named individuals is Tukur Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald, who is still standing trial for his alleged relationship with the terrorists who attacked the Abuja–Kaduna train in March 2022.
The NFIU document accuses Mamu of “participating in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransom payments” for the release of hostages after the train attack.
Another individual on the list is suspected of involvement in the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on 5 June 2022, and the attack on the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja in 5 July 2022.
The nine individuals named were Tukur Mamu, Yusuf Ghazali, Muhammad Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, Sallamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana-Oyiza Isah, Abdulkareem Musa, and Umar Abdullahi.
The six BDCs and firms are West and East Africa General Trading Company Limited, Settings Bureau De Change Limited, G. Side General Enterprises, Desert Exchange Ventures Limited, Eagle Square General Trading Company Limited, and Alfa Exchange BDC.
The inclusion of BDC operators and firms on the list suggests the government is targeting channels used to move illicit funds that may support terrorist activities.
The NFIU says every person or company named in the document would face sanctions by the authorities, including the freezing of their assets and restricting their financial transactions.
This move by the Nigerian government comes amidst ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in the country.
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
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