Nigeria secures over 100 convictions for terrorism financing in two years, says Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that over 100 individuals involved in financing terrorism have been successfully prosecuted and convicted in the last two years, marking a significant achievement in the nation’s fight against terrorism.

The President made this revelation on Tuesday at the National Anti-Money Laundering, Combating Terrorism Financing, and Counter-Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) Compliance Summit in Abuja. The event was organised by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and brought together key stakeholders in law enforcement and financial regulation.

Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Tinubu credited the convictions to collaborative efforts between the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). He highlighted the implementation of national strategies such as the AML/CFT framework, the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, and the National Drug Control Master Plan as critical tools in disrupting financial networks that fuel terrorism and other criminal activities.

“These strategies specifically target organised criminal groups whose actions have severely harmed Nigeria’s global reputation and created barriers for honest citizens in international business and travel,” Tinubu stated.

He further explained that his administration has prioritised strengthening law enforcement agencies by investing in their human and technical capacity, ensuring they operate within the rule of law and without external interference. This has resulted in a growing number of investigations leading to successful convictions, with a particular focus on dismantling organised criminal networks.

The President noted that efforts to combat terrorism have been bolstered by the courageous actions of frontline security forces and a refined National Counter-Terrorist Financing Strategy, enabling the identification and prosecution of individuals who fund violent groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP.

“By cutting off their financial and material support, we are reducing their capacity to inflict terror and creating an environment where rural communities can thrive again,” Tinubu said.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s financial systems as a cornerstone of economic growth and national security.

The summit served as a platform to evaluate Nigeria’s progress in combating financial crimes and to explore innovative approaches to safeguarding the nation’s economy and citizens from the adverse effects of criminal activities.

Odigie Ehidiamen Kelvin