The Federal Government on Monday revealed that over 730 individuals have been convicted for terrorism-related offences, underscoring Nigeria’s intensified crackdown on terror financing and illicit financial flows.
Speaking at the on-site meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in Abuja, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major General Adamu Laka, described the convictions as a clear result of inter-agency synergy and sustained efforts to dismantle financial lifelines of terrorist groups.
He said more than 90 of the convictions were secured with direct assistance from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), noting that disrupting the money trail of terrorist organizations remains central to Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy.
“Our ability to prosecute over 730 terrorism-linked cases is a testament to the effectiveness of our coordinated national approach. More than 90 convictions were secured with support from the NFIU,” Laka stated.
Laka also praised the Joint Standard Investigation Committee on Terrorism Financing, describing its work as pivotal to Nigeria’s improved investigative and prosecutorial capacity for complex financial crimes.
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He explained that the current simulation exercise ahead of the FATF evaluation would assess Nigeria’s readiness to exit the FATF Grey List, where the country has been under increased monitoring due to previous shortcomings in tackling financial crimes.
“The strength of our collective preparation will determine the success of the upcoming FATF visit and, ultimately, Nigeria’s removal from the FATF Grey List,” Laka said.
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hajiya Hafsat Bakari, said Nigeria had made “impressive progress” in meeting the 19 action items on its FATF action plan, through what she called a “collective national effort.”
She disclosed that 11 reviewers from the FATF are scheduled to assess Nigeria’s compliance, which she sees as a vote of confidence in the country’s reform efforts.
“The FATF has invited Nigeria to join as a guest member. This means Nigeria will now participate under its own flag in FATF discussions and projects,” Bakari revealed, calling it a step closer to full membership.
The officials noted that the evaluation outcome will be crucial for Nigeria’s global financial credibility and could help unlock international partnerships, investments, and further cooperation in intelligence and security.