Nigerian Sanctions Committee Reveals Individuals and Entities Linked to Terrorism Financing.
In accordance with the directive from the Federal Government, the Nigerian Sanctions Committee has unveiled the identities of 15 entities suspected of involvement in terrorism financing. Among these entities are nine individuals and six Bureau De Change (BDC) firms. The revelation comes as part of ongoing efforts to curb terrorism and illicit financial activities within the country.
The nine individuals under sanctions include Tukur Mamu, Yusuf Ghazali, Muhammad Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, Sallamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana-Oyiza Isah, Abdulkareem Musa, and Umar Abdullahi. These individuals are believed to have played various roles in financing terrorist activities.
In addition to the individuals, six BDC firms have also been implicated in terrorism financing. These 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 details of the sanctions were disclosed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in an email sent to our correspondent. According to the email titled "Designation of Individuals and Entities for March 18, 2024," the Nigeria Sanctions Committee convened on March 18, 2024, to recommend specific individuals and entities for sanction due to their alleged involvement in terrorism financing.
Among the individuals listed, Tukur Mamu, a Kaduna-based publisher, occupies a prominent position. Mamu is currently facing trial for allegedly aiding terrorists responsible for the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022. The document alleges that Mamu facilitated ransom payments exceeding $200,000 US to ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages captured during the attack.
Furthermore, one of the sanctioned individuals is suspected to be involved in the attacks on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. Another individual is described as a member of the terrorist group Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam, associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
According to the NFIU, the sanctioned individuals and entities are subject to freezing of assets and other economic resources as mandated by Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Financial institutions and individuals are required to identify and freeze any funds, assets, or economic resources belonging to the designated persons and entities and report them to the Sanctions Committee.
The Nigerian government remains committed to combating terrorism and disrupting its financing networks to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. These sanctions represent a significant step in this ongoing effort to safeguard the nation against terrorist threats.
