FEDERAL Government has unveiled a fresh list of individuals and companies accused of powering the financial lifelines of terrorist networks — a move officials said marks one of the boldest steps yet in Nigeria’s 2024 counter-terrorism drive.
A report by online newspaper, National Accord, said the designations, drawn from a far-reaching inter-agency security review, identified nine individuals and six business entities alleged to have aided the flow of money, logistics and other support materials to extremist groups operating within and outside the country, according to reports from a security analyst, ZagazOla
Those named in the latest security brief include Tukur Mamu, Yusuf Ghazali, Muhammad Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, Sallamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana-Oyiza Isah, Abdulkareem Musa and Umar Abdullahi.
In addition, the government flagged several firms — mostly Bureau De Change operators and general trading outfits — for allegedly enabling transactions tied to terrorist activities. The companies listed are West & East Africa General Trading Company Limited, Settings Bureau De Change Ltd, G. Side General Enterprises, Desert Exchange Ventures Ltd, Eagle Square General Trading Company Limited, and Alfa Exchange BDC.
Security operatives, who worked on the review, said the action was the result of “months of intelligence tracking,” during which investigators dissected suspicious financial flows and worked closely with international partners. According to one senior official, the move is aimed at “cutting off the oxygen supply” that allows terror networks to thrive.
Authorities say the clampdown is part of a broader national strategy to reinforce financial-sector compliance, curb the misuse of BDC operations, and bolster ongoing military missions in the North-East and North-West.
The Federal Government has also signalled that the dragnet will widen. Officials confirmed that more names are currently under scrutiny as agencies intensify surveillance of banks, money-changing outlets and cross-border cash movements.
