"Global Terror Funding Exposed: Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Uncovers IPOB Cells in US and UK, Reveals Shocking Funding Sources"

Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit has Uncovers IPOB Cells in UK and US, Reveals Funding Sources

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has made a significant revelation, uncovering 27 cells belonging to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in 22 countries across the globe, including prominent presence in the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In a detailed document titled "Counter Terrorism Financial Newsletter," the NFIU disclosed that the US and the UK host the largest numbers of these IPOB cells per country, with seven and six operating cells respectively in both nations.

The development sheds light on the funding sources of terror activities in Nigeria, linking IPOB, bandits, and other terror groups to global crowdfunding and sports betting platforms. This revelation comes at a time when the Federal Government of Nigeria had proscribed IPOB in 2017, designating it as a terrorist organization, with its leader, Nnmadi Kanu, currently facing terrorism charges.

The NFIU's analysis further revealed that the diaspora affiliates of IPOB have spread over 22 countries globally, with 27 entities registered in the name of the group. Notably, the US and the UK accounted for the highest number of registrations, with seven and six registered entities respectively.

According to the document, IPOB maintains several bank accounts in different countries, where funds are received from various contributors under different narratives such as "Monthly Dues, Services, and for ESN" (Eastern Security Network), among others. These funds are later disbursed for various operations.

A major revenue source for the group was identified as crowdfunding by individuals abroad, predominantly Nigerians. The analysis highlighted disbursements amounting to over $160,000 to Transmission, Media, and Broadcasting companies in Bulgaria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

The report also profiles the leader of the group, his addresses, and mobile numbers abroad, along with 53 other individuals associated with the dissident group. It emphasizes the forwarding of the report to Law Enforcement for further investigation.

Furthermore, the NFIU disclosed suspicious financial activities related to terrorism, including a case where a betting platform flagged a 24-year-old Nigerian customer from the North-Central region, who received over N350,000 in his betting wallet, believed to be ransom money from a kidnapping.

In another instance, the unit exposed a terrorist's attempt to evade detection by making structured cash withdrawals from different Automated Teller Machines and purchasing flight tickets to high-risk areas using credit cards. Suspicious transfers exceeding €1,000 to a local charity with potential links to terrorism were also noted, along with transactions for luxury goods and escort services, all of which raised red flags.

The NFIU urged law enforcement agencies to investigate transactions by individuals linked to known terrorists or financiers, unauthorized tax collection or forced donations in terrorism-prone areas, Bureau de Change operators facilitating transfers within suspected networks, 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.

The detailed report underscores the complexity of financing terrorism and the need for enhanced vigilance and collaboration among law enforcement agencies globally to counter such threats effectively.

Abiodun Sanusi, a seasoned journalist with over six years of media experience covering various beats, including metro, entertainment, politics, civil societies, foreign affairs, crime, and security, provided comprehensive coverage of this significant development for The Punch Newspaper.

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