According to an NFIU report that Channels Television was able to get from the “Counter Terrorism Financing Newsletter” on February 26, 2024, the US and the UK had the highest concentrations of IPOB cells per nation, with seven and six active IPOB cells, respectively, in each of these two countries.
In 2017, the Federal Government declared IPOB to be a terrorist organisation and outlawed the self-determination movement. The government is currently trying its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, on terrorism-related accusations.
The NFIU identified 54 people worldwide as being involved in the operation of IPOB.
The document stated: “The NFIU verified that the IPOB group’s diaspora affiliates are dispersed throughout 22 different nations worldwide. Subsequent investigation revealed that the group had 27 entities registered worldwide. Of these, the US and the UK had the most, with seven and six registered entities, respectively.
According to the investigation, the group has multiple bank accounts across multiple nations, where money is accepted from different donors under the headings “Monthly Dues, Services, and for ESN,” among others, and then distributed for different operations.
“It was verified that a number of foreigners, primarily Nigerians, are among the group’s main sources of money through crowdfunding.
“More than $160,000 was seen to have been paid to media, broadcasting, and transmission businesses in the UK, South Africa, and Bulgaria. Along with 53 other people connected to the dissident group, the investigation detailed the group’s leader, his addresses, and cell numbers overseas. Law enforcement received the report so they could look into it more.
The NFIU also disclosed that a betting platform, simply known as “XC,” submitted a Suspicious Transaction Report on behalf of a 24-year-old Nigerian client from North-Central, Nigeria.
The NFIU stated, “This 24-year-old from Nigeria’s North-Central region received over N350,000 in his betting wallet, believed to be ransom money from a kidnapping.”
In a another instance, a terrorist trying to avoid detection was discovered by the financial intelligence team. It was mentioned that the person used credit cards to buy airline tickets to high-risk locations and to make systematic cash withdrawals from several ATMs.
Every time the person went over his withdrawal limit, the NFIU clarified, he would find other ways to get around.
After that, the terrorist made an attempt to make questionable payments totaling more than €1,000 to a nearby charity that might have ties to terrorism. The newsletter said, “These transactions, along with others involving luxury goods and escort services, raised red flags.”
The National Foreign Terrorism Investigation Unit (NFIU) called on law enforcement agencies to look into transactions involving people connected to known terrorists or financiers; unlawful tax collection or coerced donations in places where terrorism is a concern; and Bureau de Change operators who facilitate transfers inside suspected networks.
The unit also wants security agencies to focus their attention on the following areas: multiple cash deposits in bank accounts; large deposits made to point-of-sale operators followed by cash withdrawals; money transfers from Nigeria to high-risk nations; recruiting people to open multiple bank accounts; and financial transfers to charities associated with terrorism.
