“These groups have
been involved in various forms of illicit financing to fund their operations,
including attacks, recruitment, and procurement of weapons.
“The strategies employed by terrorist groups to generate and
move funds within Nigeria’s financial landscape include, crowdfunding, the use
of online platforms and the use of betting platforms amongst others.
“The diaspora affiliates of the IPOB group have spread over
22 (twenty-two) countries across the globe.
“Further analysis
exposed 27 entities across the globe registered in the name of the group, the
US and the UK had the highest number of registrations, having 7 and 6
registered entities respectively.”
The NFIU said it was confirmed that one of the major sources
of revenue for the group is crowdfunding by several individuals abroad, mostly
Nigerians.
“The analysis further indicates that the group has several
bank accounts in different countries where funds are being received from
various contributors with the narrations ‘Monthly Dues, Services, and for ESN’
among others, then later disbursed,” the newsletter further reads.
“It was observed that over $160,000 (One hundred and sixty
thousand Dollars) was disbursed to Transmission, Media, and Broadcasting
companies in Bulgaria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
“The Analysis
profiled the leader of the group, his addresses, and mobile numbers abroad with
other 53 individuals associated with the dissident group.”
The NFIU said it has forwarded the report to law enforcement
agencies for further investigation.
Last week, the federal government released a list of 15
entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change (BDC) operators
and firms suspected to be invloved in terrorism financing in the country.
On March 23, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) declared 97
suspected terrorists wanted.
