The Federal Government has made a significant revelation, identifying 15 entities suspected of involvement in terrorism financing. According to details disclosed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, these entities comprise nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms.

The unveiling of this information occurred through an email sent to Punch Newspapers  on Tuesday night, titled “Designation of Individuals and Entities for March 18, 2024.”

It was revealed that the Nigeria Sanctions Committee convened on March 18, 2024, where specific individuals and entities were earmarked for sanctions due to their alleged participation in terrorism financing activities. The document highlighted that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, with the President’s approval, designated these individuals and entities to be included in the Nigeria Sanctions List.

Notably, among those named in the document is Tukur Mamu, a publisher based in Kaduna, who is currently undergoing trial by the Federal Government for purportedly aiding the terrorists responsible for the March 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

According to the document, Mamu “participated in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransome payments over the sum of $200,000 US in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.”

Among those singled out in the document is an individual suspected to have orchestrated the attacks on the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022, and the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja on July 5, 2022.

Another individual was identified as a member of the terrorist group Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam, which is associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). This individual is reported to have undergone training under Muktar Belmokhtar, also known as “One Eyed Out,” and served in the Al-Murabtoun Katibat of AQIM in Algeria and Mali.

The NFIU said the individual “specialises in designing terrorist clandestine communication code and he is also Improvised Explosive Device expert.

“The subject was also a gate keeper to ANSARU leader, Mohammed Usman aka Khalid Al-Bamawi. Equally, he was a courier and travel guide to AQIM Katibat in the desert of Algeria and Mali. He is into carpentry. Subject fled Kuje correctional centre on July 5, 2022. He is currently at large.”

Another was identified as “a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province Okene.”

The agency said, the individual “came into limelight in 2012 as North Central wing of Boko Haram.

“The group is suspected of the attacks carried out around Federal Capital Territory and the South West Geographical Zone, including the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.”

Understood, here’s a news article based on the provided information:

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**Senior Commander of ISWAP Exposed Among Alleged Terrorism Suspects**

In a startling revelation, a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) based in Okene has been exposed among alleged terrorism suspects. According to a document released by authorities, this individual rose to prominence in 2012 as part of the North Central wing of Boko Haram before transitioning to ISWAP.

The document highlights the suspected involvement of this individual and their group in various attacks around the Federal Capital Territory and the South West Geographical Zone. Notably, they are implicated in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

Additionally, another individual identified as a financial courier to ISWAP in Okene has been brought to light. This individual is reportedly responsible for disbursing funds to the widows and wives of terrorist fighters within the group.

Moreover, the document reveals financial transactions linked to terrorism, including one individual transferring N60 million to terrorism convicts in 2015. This same individual is reported to have received a substantial sum of N189 million between 2016 and 2018. Furthermore, they are alleged to own entities and businesses identified in a UAE court judgment as facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Nigeria.

Another individual is reported to have received a total of N57 million between 2014 and 2017. Meanwhile, yet another individual is said to have had a total inflow of N61.4 billion and a total outflow of N51.7 billion from their accounts.

In a bid to bolster national security and combat terrorism financing, the Federal Government has issued a directive in line with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. According to a recent document, institutions and individuals are mandated to adhere to specific requirements outlined in the Act.

Under this legislation, institutions and individuals are obligated to:

1. Immediately identify and freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets, and any other economic resources belonging to designated persons and entities in their possession.
2. Report all frozen assets and actions taken in compliance with the prohibition requirements to the Sanctions Committee.
3. Promptly file a Suspicious Transactions Report to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for further analysis on the financial activities of designated individuals or entities.
4. Report any cases of name matching in financial transactions to the NFIU, both prior to and after receiving the designated list.

Furthermore, the freezing obligation extends to all funds or other assets owned or controlled by designated persons and entities, including those tied to specific acts, plots, or threats of terrorism. Additionally, it encompasses funds derived or generated from assets owned or controlled by designated persons or entities, as well as assets of individuals acting on behalf of or at the direction of designated persons

It said the “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.”

Credit: Punch