The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit has discovered 27 cells associated with the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra in 22 countries worldwide, including the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
According to the NFIU, the United States and the United Kingdom have the highest concentration of IPOB cells, with seven and six cells respectively in each country.
Information about the development was disclosed in a newsletter that uncovered the financing of terrorist activities in Nigeria by IPOB, bandits, and other extremist organisations through worldwide crowdfunding and sports betting platforms.
In 2017, the Federal Government made the decision to ban IPOB and label them as a terrorist organisation. The government is currently trying its leader, Nnmadi Kanu, on terrorism charges.
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In a recent document titled “Counter Terrorism Financial Newsletter,” the NFIU has identified 54 individuals from around the world who are allegedly connected to the activities of IPOB.
According to the document, it has been confirmed that the diaspora affiliates of the IPOB group have established a presence in over 22 countries worldwide. Upon closer examination, it was discovered that there were 27 entities scattered around the world that were registered under the group’s name. Interestingly, the United States and the United Kingdom had the most registrations, with seven and six entities registered, respectively.
“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 has disclosed that a betting platform, known as ‘XC’, reported a Suspicious Transaction Report on a 24-year-old Nigerian customer from North-Central, Nigeria.
“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 said.
In a separate incident, the financial intelligence unit uncovered a terrorist who was trying to avoid detection. The report highlighted that the person made organised cash withdrawals from various ATMs and bought plane tickets to volatile regions, using credit cards.
The NFIU clarified that whenever the person went over their withdrawal limit, they would find different ways to travel.
“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 newsletter stated.
The NFIU has called on law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate transactions involving individuals connected to known terrorists or financiers. They have also highlighted the need to look into unauthorised tax collection or forced donations in areas prone to terrorism, as well as the role of Bureau de Change operators in facilitating transfers within suspected networks.
The unit is urging security agencies to focus on various areas of concern. These include monitoring multiple cash deposits in bank accounts, scrutinising Point of Sale operators who receive large deposits followed by cash withdrawals, tracking money transfers from Nigeria to high-risk countries, investigating individuals who are recruited to open multiple bank accounts, and monitoring financial transfers to charities that may be linked to terrorism.
