The Federal Government has uncovered 96 financiers of terrorism, especially those backing Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja.
The even as meant to highlight the anti-corruption efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
According to the Minister, the NFIU has also unmasked 424 associates/supporters of the financiers, about 123 companies and 33 bureaux de change linked with terrorism and also identified 26 suspected bandits/kidnappers and seven co-conspirators.
The Minister said 45 of the suspects would be soon face trial.
He said that the “Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) found 96 terrorist financiers in Nigeria in 2020-2021,” as well as 424 associates and followers of the financiers.
As per the minister, terrorists were linked to 123 companies and 33 Bureau de Change, as well as 26 alleged bandits/kidnappers and seven co-conspirators who have since been identified.
“The analysis has resulted in the arrest of 45 suspects who will soon face prosecution and asset seizure,” he said.
NFIU, he further revealed, had intelligence exchanges with 19 nations on Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry, abduction, and other terrorism finance issues.
“During the same time period, from 2020 to 2021, the organization returned a total of US$103,722,102.83, 3,000 pounds sterling, 7,695 Singapore dollars, and 1,091 euros to 11 countries of victims who entered the country.,” Mohammed said.
