FG: 96 Boko Haram financiers uncovered between 2020 and 2021

The federal government says it uncovered 96 financiers of Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) between 2020 and 2021.

Lai Mohammed, minister of information, spoke on Thursday during a press conference addressing the current administration’s fight against corruption.

Mohammed said to check terrorism financing in Nigeria, the FG deployed a plethora of tools to deal with the issue of corruption and money laundering.

He said analysis by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) discovered 424 associates/supporters of terrorism financiers; the involvement of about 123 companies and 33 bureaus de change.

He added that not less than 26 suspected bandits/kidnappers and seven co-conspirators were also identified by the agency.

“The Buhari Administration has taken bold measures to streamline cumbersome bureaucratic processes in the implementation of government policies, check corrupt practices and ensure accountability in the implementation as well as delivery of these policies,” Mohammed said.

“For its part, the analysis by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), in 2020-2021, revealed 96 financiers of terrorism in Nigeria, 424 associates/supporters of the financiers, involvement of about 123 companies and 33 bureaux de change, in addition to identifying 26 suspected bandits/kidnappers and 7 co-conspirators.

“The analysis has resulted in the arrest of 45 suspects who will soon face prosecution and seizure of assets. Also, from its analysis of tax evasion and tax avoidance linked to corruption, NFIU has identified N3,909,707,678,112.43 in VAT and N3,737,918,335,785.82 in Withholding Tax due to the Government. NFIU has also sent 1,165 intelligence reports on cases of corruption, money laundering and other serious offences to 27 domestic agencies for investigation, prosecution and asset recovery.

“On terrorism financing, NFIU had intelligence exchanges on Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry, kidnapping and others with 19 countries. During the same period, 2020-2021, the organization returned fraudulently-obtained funds totalling US$103,722,102.83, 3,000 pound sterling; 7,695 Singapore dollar, and 1,091 euros to 11 countries of victims who came into the country.”

The minister said the reforms undertaken by the government are all-inclusive and they have made significant impact in preventing corruption.

“We have gone to this length to let you know that the Buhari administration’s fight against corruption is unwavering and on course. This administration has put in place structures that will not only check corrupt tendencies but will also make corruption unattractive and costly to those who may want to engage in it,” he added.

“With the support of all citizens, I can assure you that we will defeat this monster that stunts development and impedes investment.”