President Bola Tinubu has announced a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, revealing that over 100 terrorist financiers have been convicted in the last two years.
This achievement is attributed to the efforts of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Tinubu made this revelation at the National Anti-Money Laundering, Combating Terrorism Financing and Counter-Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) Compliance Summit in Abuja. He emphasized that the government’s strategies, including the AML/CFT strategy, National Anti-Corruption Strategy, and National Drug Control Master Plan, are designed to disrupt criminal financial networks and target serious offenses that harm Nigeria’s global reputation.
The President noted that investments in law enforcement agencies, such as the Nigeria Police, EFCC, ICPC, and NDLEA, have led to an increase in investigations and prosecutions being converted into convictions.
These efforts aim to dismantle organized crime groups and networks.
Tinubu also highlighted progress in tackling terrorism and violent crimes through the gallant actions of frontline troops and security agencies. He emphasized the importance of identifying and pursuing individuals who finance terrorist acts, stating that by cutting off funds and resources, the government is denying terrorists the ability to inflict harm on communities and citizens
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, Tinubu noted that through the AML/CFT strategy, the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and the National Drug Control Master Plan, the efforts of key law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities, are targeted at disruption of the criminal financial networksAccording to him, the strategies, in particular, target the most serious offences, which have harmed the country’s reputation globally and caused significant difficulties to honest citizens travelling and doing business internationally.He said:
“To enable more effective responses by our law enforcement agencies, this administration has invested significant resources into their operations, upgrading their human resources and technical capacity. We have also provided an enabling environment that prioritises the rule of law and non-interference in their operations.“
As an outcome of these investments, through the efforts of the Nigeria Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) the number of investigations and prosecutions being converted into convictions has continued to increase.“
These investigations target the organised groups and barons behind these crimes. The ultimate objective is to dismantle the entire networks that perpetrate these crimes.“
As we seek to build a globally competitive economy which will enable us to enhance the livelihoods of our citizens, we must recognise the importance of ensuring that the integrity of our financial system is sacrosanct.”
The President noted that his administration has made progress in tackling the threats of terrorism and other violent crimes through the gallant action of frontline troops and security agencies.He however said that in line with the National Counter-Terrorist Financing Strategy, the Federal Government has also enhanced its abilities to identify and pursue those individuals that finance these violent acts.
He said: “By taking away the funds, resources and material support behind Boko Haram and ISWAP, we are denying them the ability to inflict terror on our communities and citizens. We are creating an environment where our rural areas will thrive again.”