The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit have reaffirmed their commitment to cutting off financial lifelines to terrorists and criminal groups.
This was following the rejection of a N13.7m bribe by troops during an operation in Plateau State.
Troops of Operation Safe Haven intercepted a suspicious vehicle riddled with bullet holes along the Jos-Sanga Road on July 9, 2025 and arrested two suspects who attempted to offer N13,742,000 in exchange for their release, according to the Defence Headquarters.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Markus Kangye, said troops recovered weapons, ammunition, a vehicle, and cash during the operation.
“On 9 July 2025, our gallant troops intercepted a vehicle with bullet holes along Jos, Sanga Road.
“Suspects attempted to induce troops with monetary gratification, but they declined.
“Troops arrested two suspects, recovered weapons, ammunition, a vehicle and the sum of N13,742,000.00 from them. Investigation ongoing while recovered items in troops’ custody,” he said.
Answering questions from our correspondent on the development, the spokesman of the NFIU, Sani Tukur, said the incident underscored the impact of ongoing efforts by financial intelligence agencies to deny terrorists access to funding.
“To be honest, all the financial institutions are cooperating with the unit. When you hear this, definitely, many access to funds has been blocked.
“I can assure you that whatever is being blocked is far higher than what you have raised,” Tukur said.
He noted that the NFIU was staying ahead of financial crime trends by constantly developing new typologies to track, flag, and block suspicious transactions.
“We are keeping up with the latest trends to ensure that terrorists and other criminals are denied the needed funds to carry out their operations.
“That is why we are always coming up with typologies. Our efforts to block their funds are an ongoing one. We will ensure we deny them access to funding,” he added.
In a similar vein, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, highlighted the commission’s legal backing and operational approach in combating terrorism financing.
“The Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 is a frantic law enforcement effort to tackle terrorism financing across the country. Any account that is flagged in that regard, we will put a ‘Post No Debit’ on it.
“From the anti-corruption corridor, we are ensuring that any funds suspected or linked to terrorism are queried and frozen. We are deeply involved in tackling terrorism financing,” he said.
