A former aspirant for the North-West Zonal Youth Leader of the ruling party and North-West Coordinator of PSO, Abdulhameed Musa Abdullahi, has called for sustained support for the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism financing and other financial crimes.
In a statement, Abdullahi said the recent international sanctions imposed on individuals and companies linked to terrorism financing underscore the need for Nigeria to reinforce its domestic financial intelligence system to safeguard national security and the economy.
He commended the Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU and the agency’s workforce for their commitment to combating money laundering, terrorism financing and related financial offences, describing their role as critical to protecting the country’s financial system.
According to him, the NFIU’s collaboration with key security and regulatory agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has strengthened intelligence gathering and supported timely investigations and lawful enforcement actions.
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Abdullahi urged relevant government institutions to take decisive legal action against individuals or organisations found to be financing terrorism or engaging in serious financial crimes, stressing that there should be no safe haven for those who sponsor violence through illicit financial networks.
He also emphasised the role of citizens in supporting the fight against financial crimes, noting that members of the public are often the first to notice suspicious financial activities. He said prompt reporting through appropriate channels could assist financial intelligence and security agencies in preventing criminal activities before they escalate.
The political advocate further encouraged the NFIU to expand its public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians on identifying and reporting suspicious financial transactions, saying an informed public would contribute significantly to national security.
Abdullahi maintained that addressing terrorism requires more than military operations, arguing that disrupting the financial networks sustaining criminal and terrorist groups remains a crucial component of the country’s security strategy.
He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between government institutions and citizens would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism financing and promote a safer and more secure nation.