The Federal Government announced yesterday that its investigations have uncovered evidence suggesting that certain parody Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating within West Africa are providing financial support to terrorist organizations.
This was revealed during the inaugural session of a five-day workshop convened by the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).
GIABA, an entity under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is tasked with facilitating the adoption and enforcement of strategies to combat Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) in the West African region.
Nigeria’s participation in the workshop included representation from the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the National Defence College, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Addressing the workshop, which served as a platform for ECOWAS member states to collaborate on developing curriculum and training modules to counter terrorism financing in the region, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, Commandant of the National Defence College, Abuja, emphasized ongoing efforts to cut off all funding sources available to terrorist organizations in the country. However, he lamented that some terrorist groups have resorted to seeking funds through less suspicious means.
“The moment we are able to interrupt the financing of terrorist groups, about 50 per cent of our problem is solved. Majority of the sources of funds for these criminal elements are unconventional means, such as kidnapping for ransom and illegal declaration of taxation in the Lake Chad basin.
“The moment we are able to seal off these unofficial sources of income and identify ways of blocking them, as well as some official sources as religious organisations and other parody NGOs who are supporting terrorism, the better for us,” he added.
Likewise, Mr. Yusuf Bichi, the Director-General of the DSS, characterized terrorism as one of the foremost threats to global peace.
Represented by Mr. A.S. Adeleke, Bichi emphasized the importance of dismantling the “subversive funding mechanism” that sustains terrorist networks within West Africa.
He said the effort would require a comprehensive and coordinated response aimed at undermining the capacity of terror groups to cause harm in the society.
“At the heart of our effort to counter terrorism lies, is the need to disrupt and dismantle the financial network that enable its operation.
“Terrorist organisations rely on a steady flow of funds to recruit, train and equip their operatives to propagate their extremism ideology and carryout their heinous acts of violence.
“By targeting their financial lifelines, we can undermine their capacities to function. However, combating terrorism financing is not task that only one agency of government can undertake. It requires close cooperation and coordination among law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, civil society organisations and international regulatory community at large.
“It demands shared commitment on information sharing, capacity building and the implementation of our robust legal and regulatory frameworks,” he added.
Real Admiral Y.E. Musa, the Coordinator of NCTC, expressed concern that the activities of numerous terrorist groups have continued to rise, despite the ongoing efforts and collaboration among national governments in the region.