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Fed Govt scouts for assets of Boko Haram sponsors

Published

3 years ago

November 12, 2022

The federal government has launched a massive search and freeze campaign for all assets of 13 alleged ‘Boko Haram’ sponsors who have been added to Nigeria’s blacklist of terrorists and terrorism sponsors.

A circular obtained yesterday indicated that the coordinated search for the assets of the 13 alleged sponsors of Boko Haram was sequel to their indictment and addition of their names to the Nigeria Sanctions List, a masterlist of all persons and institutions blacklisted for terrorism.

The Nigeria Sanctions List is under the supervision of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee, a multi-agency committee created by the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

The search and freeze campaign involved all national enforcement agencies and the regulated private sector entities with specific mandate to immediately track, discover and freeze all funds, physical and financial assets, businesses, organisations and all other related entities to the 13 alleged Boko Haram sponsors.

Acting in concert with the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the coordinating secretariat of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee, Nigeria’s apex capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday directed all capital market operators to immediately search for and freeze all assets in the names of the 13 alleged Boko Haram sponsors.

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The blacklisted alleged terrorism sponsors included 10 individuals and three entities. These include Abdurrahaman Musa Ado, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, Muhammad Ibrahim Isah, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Surajo Abubakar Mohammad, Fannami Alhaji Bukar, Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail, Mohammed Saleh Buba, Alin Yar Yaya General Enterprises, Are Nigeria Limited and Suhailah Bashir General Enterprises.

The general use of “all capital market operators” and “stakeholders” virtually included all finance, investment and estate development professionals and businesses in Nigeria as well as all public and private businesses.

The list of capital market operators include banks, insurance firms, stockbroking firms, registrars, fund management firms, solicitors, accountants, auditors, issuing houses, venture capital, estate valuers and surveyors and commodities and securities exchanges among others.

According to SEC, pursuant to section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, all capital market operators and stakeholders are “required to immediately, identify and freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets, and any other economic resources belonging to the designated persons and entities” in their possession and report same to the secretariat of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee.

The directive also required all operators and stakeholders to report to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee, any assets frozen or actions taken in compliance with the designation, including attempted transactions.

The search and freeze campaign also mandated all operators and stakeholders to “immediately file a suspicious transactions report to the NFIU for further analysis on the financial activities of such an individual or entity; and report as a suspicious transactions report to the NFIU, all cases of name matching in financial transactions prior to or after receipt of the Nigerian Sanctions List”.

The directive subsequently prohibits “dealings with the designated persons and entities and to continue to check for transactions relating to the designated person or entity and the actions to be taken if funds or other assets or suspect transactions are discovered”.

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According to the search and freeze campaign directive, the freezing obligation extends to “all funds or other assets that are owned or controlled by the designated person or entity, and not just those that can be tied to a particular act, plot, or threat of terrorism or terrorism financing; those funds or other assets that are wholly or jointly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by designated persons or entities; the funds or other assets derived or generated from funds or other assets owned or controlled directly or indirectly by designated persons or entities; and funds or other assets of persons and entities acting on behalf of, or at the direction of designated persons or entities”.

The circular noted that the asset freezing mechanism is a preventive tool to disrupt terrorist support, stressing that “it is incumbent on financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions to comply with the asset freezing obligations, giving the potential of both criminal and civil liabilities for non-compliance, as well as the reputational risks for financial institutions and DNFBPs of being seen to be in breach of the asset freezing mechanism”.

The interdiction also included total travel ban and arm embargo on all the designated persons, a directive being implemented by another inter-agency group, according to a source in the know of the proceedings.

The first six alleged sponsors of Boko Haram and the three enterprises had been tried and convicted by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal severally for collaborating with the terrorist group Boko Haram terrorist group of Nigeria by collecting money in Dubai and sending it to the group in Nigeria as well as providing sundry acts to aid terrorism.

The other four designated persons- Fannami Alhaji Bukar, Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail and Mohammed Saleh Buba, who were believed to have been seized in Nigeria, were interdicted for being members of Boko Haram terrorist group, terrorism financing, received training, rendering support to the terrorist group, concealment of information, attending terrorist meeting and provision of facility in support of terrorist acts.

The Nation

Related Topics:assets Boko Haram Featured Fed

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Nigerians to Enjoy Four-Day Break as FG Declares Easter Holidays

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1 hour ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

Nigerians to Enjoy Four-Day Break as FG Declares Easter Holidays

The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration, a development expected to bring relief and excitement to millions of Nigerians across the country.

The announcement, made ahead of the Holy Week, effectively creates a four-day holiday period from Good Friday through Easter Monday, offering workers, students, and families an extended break for religious observances and social engagements.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, acting on behalf of the Federal Government, is expected to formally communicate the directive through a circular to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), while urging Nigerians to use the period to reflect on the virtues of sacrifice, love, and unity exemplified by the life of Jesus Christ.

Good Friday, observed on April 3, commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, while Easter Sunday, which falls on April 5, celebrates His resurrection—regarded as the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Easter Monday, April 6, traditionally serves as a continuation of the celebration, often marked by relaxation, family gatherings, and community events.

In line with the declaration, government offices, financial institutions, and many private establishments are expected to shut down operations on the designated days. However, essential service providers, including security agencies, healthcare workers, and emergency responders, have been directed to ensure uninterrupted services throughout the period.

The Easter holidays are widely regarded as one of the busiest travel periods in Nigeria, with increased movement across states as citizens visit loved ones or attend religious programmes. In anticipation of this, security agencies have reportedly heightened surveillance and operational readiness to safeguard lives and property, particularly along major highways and in urban centres.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant authorities are also expected to deploy personnel strategically to manage traffic flow and respond swiftly to emergencies during the festive period.

Across the country, the announcement has been met with enthusiasm, especially among families and religious groups planning church conventions, retreats, and outreach programmes. Many Nigerians have expressed delight at the opportunity to enjoy an extended holiday without drawing from their annual leave allowances.

Observers note that the declaration reflects the government’s continued recognition of Nigeria’s religious diversity and its commitment to allowing citizens observe key spiritual events in an atmosphere of peace and inclusiveness.

As Christians prepare to celebrate Easter, religious leaders have called on Nigerians to imbibe the values of love, tolerance, and selflessness, which the season represents, while also praying for national unity and progress.

Nigerians to Enjoy Four-Day Break as FG Declares Easter Holidays

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Akwa Ibom Barber Jailed 14 Years for Defiling 12-Year-Old Girl

Published

3 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Akwa Ibom Barber Jailed 14 Years for Defiling 12-Year-Old Girl

An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Ikot Ekpene has sentenced 32-year-old barber, Ofonime Augustine Etim, to 14 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine for defiling a 12-year-old girl, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to child protection and sexual offence enforcement.

The convict, who hails from Abama village, Obot Akara Local Government Area, was found guilty of committing the offence on May 10, 2023, in Ikot Obong Otoro, Abak Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

During the trial, the State Ministry of Justice prosecution team called three witnesses, including the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) and a consultant gynecologist, and tendered documentary evidence. The medical evidence was pivotal, with the gynecologist confirming a 2cm deep vaginal wall laceration and multiple bruises, consistent with forceful sexual penetration.

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The IPO testified that the victim had been abducted and taken to the convict’s residence, while the victim’s elder sister recounted that the girl had been missing for several days before being rescued and taken to a hospital for treatment.

Justice Augustine D. Odokwo, who presided over the case, ruled that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt, dismissing the convict’s own testimony as unsubstantiated. The judge emphasized the gravity of the offence, stating, “The law is designed not only to punish but to deter others from such acts. Children must be protected.”

The court ordered that the time Etim has spent in custody since May 13, 2023, be deducted from his sentence. It also directed that the convict’s name be entered into the State Sex Offenders Register, while all exhibits tendered during the trial remain in court custody pending any appeal.

Child protection advocates hailed the verdict, noting that it sends a strong message that perpetrators of child defilement and sexual abuse will face strict penalties, reinforcing justice and safety for minors across the state.

Akwa Ibom Barber Jailed 14 Years for Defiling 12-Year-Old Girl

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Lagos Taskforce Launches Anti‑Crime Patrol Unit to Curb Rising Criminality

Published

3 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Akerele addressing operatives of the unit. Photo: Taskforce

Lagos Taskforce Launches Anti‑Crime Patrol Unit to Curb Rising Criminality

The Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences has officially launched a dedicated anti‑crime patrol unit to tackle escalating criminal activities, environmental offences, and street-level threats across the state. The launch took place on Wednesday at the task force’s headquarters in Bolade, Oshodi, and was led by the agency’s Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele.

The new patrol unit is designed to operate as a rapid-response team, patrolling crime hotspots 24/7 to proactively detect, deter, and neutralise criminal activities before they escalate into serious threats to public safety. According to Akerele, the unit’s mandate covers a wide spectrum of offences, including drug peddling, street urchinism, area boys activities (locally called “Omotaku”), one-chance robbery syndicates, attacks on government officials, quackery, and indiscriminate waste disposal.

“The unit will operate all out to stamp out criminal activities in the state this year. No stone will be left unturned to compel criminals to desist from their acts or relocate from Lagos State,” Akerele stated. He urged residents to support law enforcement efforts by providing timely and credible information that could aid operations.

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The initiative also comes after the Lagos State Police Command withdrew the task force from traffic enforcement, allowing it to focus entirely on security operations and law enforcement against criminality. Akerele emphasized that while traffic duties have been reassigned, the task force’s core functions remain intact, and the anti-crime patrol unit will intensify surveillance and intelligence-driven operations in known flashpoints.

Law enforcement observers note that Lagos, being Nigeria’s commercial hub, faces persistent street crime, drug offences, and environmental violations, making the launch of this unit a strategic move to reinforce public safety and protect lives and property. The task force aims to enhance Lagos State’s security architecture by deploying personnel in high-risk areas and responding swiftly to incidents reported by residents.

The state government hopes that this enhanced patrol unit will serve as a deterrent against criminality, ensuring a safer environment for both residents and businesses as the city continues to grow and urbanize.