The Nigerian House of Representatives has called on the government of President Bola Tinubu to name sponsors of terrorism and banditry to tackle the spate of insecurity across the country.
The legislators maintained that identifying and punishing the Nigerian terrorism sponsors is the crucial step toward dismantling their networks and restoring peace.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the resolution to name sponsors of terrorism and banditry is part of the House Resolutions on National Security Reform and Enhancement’s three-day special plenary on security.
The special session was convened in response to the rising wave of insecurity, including mass abductions across the country.
During Wednesday’s plenary lawmakers emphasized that mere arrests are insufficient and that the financial arteries of these criminal enterprises must be publicly severed to serve as a strong deterrent.
“It is time we know them, we name them, we prosecute them, and put an end to this question of funding of terrorism”, Julius Ihonvbere, the House Leader had said while giving a summary of the recommendations.
The House, while considering and adopting the report containing its recommendations on Wednesday, further urged the federal government to establish a special court dedicated to terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping cases, and to ensure that all terrorism-related prosecutions are transparent and expeditious.
Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House, who presided over the session, said the recent terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu had demonstrated the need for all terrorism cases to be handled openly and transparently.
The House also recommended the introduction of an effective national tracking system for all arms and weapons held by security agencies, using digital tracking tools and strict accountability mechanisms. For a comprehensive audit of all government-owned weapons. “Every firearm should be visible in the system. If it’s moving beyond the jurisdiction, then we ask questions”, Kalu said.
He said that many of the weapons being used by these terrorists are accessed “through backdoor business where government equipment is outsourced” while stressing the need for an audit.
The House further urged the Federal Government to embark on massive recruitment into the armed forces to meet operational demands and to improve the salaries and welfare of all security personnel.
This development comes amid international pressure on Nigeria to end terrorism and alleged religious violations in the country.
Recall that United States President Donald Trump recently redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged Christian genocide.
Trump also accused the Nigerian government of being complicit in the insecurity, threatening to put boots on the ground if the government fails to eradicate the terrorist elements.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass also reports that the latest call from the House of Representatives comes after the Federal Government in 2024 listed some individuals and Bureau de Change (BDCs) as terrorism financiers.
In the document released then, 21 individuals and six entities were tagged as financiers of terrorism.
Leading the list is a Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, who is being tried by the Federal Government for allegedly aiding terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train two years ago.
The publication followed years of pressure by security experts, human rights groups, Nigerians, and other stakeholders for the Federal Government to name those financing terrorism in the country.
Below is the list from the NSC:
1. Abdulsamat Ohida
According to the document, he is being designated because “The subject is a senior commander (Quaid) of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) Okene. He is the suspected attacker of the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, on 5th June 2022, and the Kuje Correctional Center, Abuja, on 5th July 2022.”
2. Mohammed Sani
The reason for his designation as a terrorist financier is due to his membership in the terrorist group Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladisudam (ANSARU). It said “the group is associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The subject was trained and served under Muktar Belmokhtar aka One Eyed. Out led Al-Murabtoun Katibat of AQIM in Algeria and Mali.”
3. Abdurrahaman Abdurrahaman
He is said to be a senior commander (Qaid) of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) Okene.
4. Fatima Ishaq
“The subject is a financial courier to ISWAP Okene. She is responsible for the disbursement of funds to the widows/wives of the terrorist fighters of the group,” according to the Nigerian government.
5. Tukur Mamu
The Federal Government said Tukur “Participated in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransom payments over the sum of $200,000 US dollars in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack”.
6. Yusuf Ghazali
He “owns entities and businesses reported in the UAE court judgement as facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Nigeria”.
7. Muhammad Sani
The Federal Government said: “Usama Muhammad who is suspected to be a major contact in Zamfara and had transactions with the convict Surajo Abubakar Muhammad and Alhaji Saidu Ahmed (leader of the group), received a total of N57 million from Yawale Muhammad between 2014 and 2017.”
8. Abubakar Muhammad
9. Sallamudeen Hassan
10. Adamu Ishak
11. Hassana Isah
12. Abdulkareem Musa
13. Umar Abdullahi
14. Abdurrahaman Ado
15. Bashir Yusuf
16. Ibrahim Alhassan
17. Muhammad Isah
18. Salihu Adamu
19. Surajo Mohammad
20. Fannami Bukar
21. Muhammed Musa
BDCs
1. West And East Africa General Trading Co. Ltd
2. Settings Bureau De Change Ltd
3. G. Side General Enterprises
4. Desert Exchange Ventures Limited
5. Eagle Square General Trading Co Ltd
6. Alfa Exchange Bdc
