FG Targets Terrorists Financiers, Freezes Assets
The Federal Government has directed banks and other financial institutions to freeze assets linked to terrorism financing and fully enforce sanctions rules.
The move followed fresh sanctions imposed on a Nigerian businessman and several Bureau De Change operators accused of supporting terrorist networks.
Authorities said financial institutions must comply with asset-freezing orders, file suspicious transaction reports and alert relevant agencies when sanctioned individuals or entities are identified.
The government recently expanded its sanctions list to include additional individuals and a company.
Officials said the action forms part of efforts to block funding channels used by extremist groups.
The Nigerian Sanctions Committee noted that investigations and intelligence reports linked those affected to activities connected with terrorist organisations operating in the region.
Meanwhile, the Defence Intelligence Agency said Nigerian troops, working with international partners including the United States, United Kingdom and France, had weakened several terrorist groups.
Military authorities stated that operations against insurgents and their support networks had produced major gains across different parts of the country.
