FG has confirmed ongoing moves to name terrorism financiers In Nigeria.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the Federal Government has confirmed ongoing efforts to unmask and prosecute financiers of terrorism in Nigeria, though officials say the process remains complex due to international dimensions and legal hurdles.
This Nigeria news platform understands that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, disclosed this on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“The process is on. I can speak for this government… but because it involves legal issues and international connections, it takes time. Some of the funds come from outside Nigeria, and we cannot handle everything from within,” Musa said.
According to him, local collaborators often act as conduits by recruiting individuals, providing them with motorcycles, and ensuring daily remittances into certain accounts. These financial flows, he noted, are already being tracked.
The CDS praised the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for exposing money trails linked to terror groups. “The NFIU has been doing so much. Apart from intelligence, the financial links are being followed and arrests have been made. I can assure you that the Attorney-General of the Federation and the National Security Adviser (NSA, Nuhu Ribadu) are working seriously to address the issue,” he stated.
Musa further revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and other security outfits are monitoring politicians allegedly financing insecurity.
“You know criminals work together. Bandits and terrorists collaborate because they have a common goal; money and destabilisation. Politics also plays a role. When peace reigns, government is seen to be performing, but when insecurity rises, the opposite is assumed. Sadly, some individuals are exploiting this for political gain,” he said.
While refusing to give specifics, the CDS confirmed that “work is in progress” to identify political actors funding terrorism.
He also called for reforms in the justice system, including special courts to fast-track terrorism cases and tougher punishments for offenders.