The Nigerian government on Monday called on member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to forge a common front in the fight against terrorism financing in the subregion.
This was even as the government hinted that the threat of terrorism remained a pressing concern for nations across the globe.
The government, through the Director/CEO, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hafsat Bakari, made the call at the opening of Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) for ECOWAS Anglophone Member States under the ECOWAS Counter Terrorism Action plan in Abuja organised by the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).
She stressed that the subtle nature of terrorism not only threatens the lives of innocent people but also undermines the very fabric of the societies and economies.
This, according to her, was one of the key pillars in the nation’s collective fight against terrorism and countering the financing that sustains these nefarious activities.
She said that blocking the channels, routes and techniques used to move these funds within the nations and across the borders requires cooperation not just at a national level but at a regional level.
Bakari stated: “This can only be achieved through a proper understanding and application of the role of the military, intelligence services, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and the judiciary in this collective endeavour.”
She said the training which will equip stakeholders with the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to combat the financing of terrorism effectively, is a step in the right direction.
Bakari added: “This ToT serves as a pivotal platform for us to enhance our understanding of the evolving tactics employed by terrorist organisations to fund their operations.
“Through collaborative efforts and the exchange of best practices, we aim to strengthen our capacity to detect, disrupt, and dismantle the financial networks that enable terrorism to thrive.”
Also, the Director General, GIABA, Mr. Edwin Harris Jr, said money laundering and the financing of terrorism continue to adversely impact the socio-economic development, peace, and security of ECOWAS member States and beyond.
He noted that in the last decade, the ECOWAS community has experienced an increasing level of terrorism, radicalisation, and violent extremism at an alarming rate.
Harris noted: “In practice, this means providing countries with appropriate legal and institutional frameworks and building their capacity to implement these frameworks effectively.
“We will intensify efforts to improve our strategic responses to the multi-faceted challenges posed by organised crimes in the region. We would ensure that our responses are sufficiently comprehensive and adequate to address the underlying global, regional, and national factors that trigger, enable, and facilitate organised crimes.”
On his part, the Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Bichi, said that countering the financing of terrorism was a collective responsibility that demands international cooperation and collaboration.
Bichi, represented by the Director of training and staff development, DSS, Mrs. Bolatito Sure-Olufe, explained that Terrorist financing networks often span multiple jurisdictions, exploiting vulnerabilities in financial systems and regulatory gaps.
