The Federal Government has identified 15 entities comprising 9 individuals and 6 Bureau De Change operators and firms, allegedly involved in financing terrorism in the country.
This information was provided by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit in a document titled “Designation of Individuals and Entities for March 18, 2024.”
The document revealed that the Nigeria Sanctions Committee met and recommended certain individuals and entities for sanctions due to their involvement in terrorism financing.
Among those named is Kaduna-based publisher currently facing trial for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022, Tukur Mamu.
The document states that Mamu received and delivered over $200,000 as ransom payments to support ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages from the train attack.
Other individuals identified include a suspected attacker of the Owo church and Kuje Correctional Center incidents, a member of the Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam terrorist group associated with Al-Qaeda, a senior commander of ISWAP Okene, and individuals involved in transferring funds to terrorism convicts and receiving large sums of money suspected to be linked to terrorism financing.
The document further revealed that by 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 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;
“(c) the funds or other assets derived or generated from funds or other assets owned or controlled directly or indirectly by designated persons or entities; and
“(d) funds or other assets of persons and entities acting on behalf of, or at the direction of designated persons or entities.”
