The NFIU, which made the revelation in a document titled ‘Counter Terrorism Financing Newsletter’ and dated February 26, 2024, said that the US and the UK house the largest number of IPOB cells per country, with seven and six operating IPOB cells respectively in both countries.
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has said that it uncovered no fewer than 27 cells belonging to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and 20 other countries across the globe.
The NFIU, which made the revelation in a document titled ‘Counter Terrorism Financing Newsletter’ and dated February 26, 2024, said that the US and the UK house the largest number of IPOB cells per country, with seven and six operating IPOB cells respectively in both countries.
The NFIU also said that it observed that over $160,000 was disbursed to Transmission, Media, and Broadcasting companies in Bulgaria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, linking the running of IPOB to 54 individuals across the globe.
“The analysis further indicates that the group has several bank accounts in different countries where funds are being received from various contributors with the narrations ‘Monthly Dues, Services and for ESN’, among others, then later disbursed for various operations.
“It was confirmed that one of the major sources of revenue for the group is crowdfunding by several individuals abroad, mostly Nigerians.
“It was observed that over $160,000 was disbursed to Transmission, Media, and Broadcasting companies in Bulgaria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The analysis profiled the leader of the group, his addresses, and mobile numbers abroad with other 53 individuals associated with the dissident group. The report was forwarded to Law Enforcement for further investigation.”
The NFIU also revealed that a betting platform simply identified as ‘XC’, filed a Suspicious Transaction Report on a 24-year Nigerian customer from North-Central Nigeria.
According to the document, “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.”
The NFIU in another case, exposed a terrorist attempting to evade being detected, noting that the individual made structured cash withdrawals from different Automated Teller Machines and purchased flight tickets to high-risk areas, using credit cards.
According to the financial intelligence unit, whenever the individual exceeded his withdrawal limit, he would adopt alternative methods of travel.
It stated, “The terrorist then attempted suspicious transfers exceeding €1,000 to a local charity with potential links to terrorism. These transactions, along with others for luxury goods and escort services, raised red flags.”
The NFIU therefore called on law enforcement agencies to investigate transactions by individuals linked to known terrorists or financiers; unauthorised tax collection or forced donations in terrorism-prone areas and Bureau de Change operators facilitating transfers within suspected networks.
The NFIU also wants security agencies to beam their searchlights on multiple cash deposits in bank accounts; Point of Sale operators receiving large deposits followed by cash withdrawals; money transfers from Nigeria to high-risk countries; recruitment of individuals to open multiple bank accounts; and financial transfers to charities linked to terrorism.