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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Morning recap: Terrorists exploit dead persons’ accounts, Obi, Amaechi, Duke clash over insecurity, other top stories

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Terrorists in Nigeria are reportedly using crowdfunding and accounts of deceased individuals to move funds, according to the NFIU.
  • Political figures Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Donald Duke clashed over approaches to insecurity and fuel subsidy at a recent event.
  • The US is increasing military training for Nigerian troops, while other stories cover traditional leadership disputes and infrastructure project disagreements.

Terrorist groups in Nigeria are exploiting financial channels, including crowdfunding and accounts linked to deceased persons, to fund their operations, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has disclosed. These groups solicit donations via social media under humanitarian or educational pretenses, then move the funds through multiple intermediaries, often using money transfer operators and remittance apps.

You need to do a comprehensive overhaul or study of our strategy to a security problem today.

— Peter ObiPresidential candidate Peter Obi advocating for a security strategy overhaul.

The NFIU report indicates that donors typically contribute between $50 and $500. Terrorist facilitators use phone numbers not registered to the account holder for mobile banking alerts. Students, small business owners, and relatives have been identified as money mules, while women's accounts are also used as fronts to conceal the identities of male commanders and logistics managers.

In the political arena, 2027 presidential hopefuls Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Donald Duke presented starkly different views on national security and economic policies at a recent NBA conference. Obi emphasized the need for a comprehensive security strategy overhaul, linking insecurity directly to poverty and unemployment. Amaechi argued that economic empowerment and putting money into citizens' pockets are key to combating crime. Meanwhile, Donald Duke questioned the existence of fuel subsidies, stating, "You can’t remove what doesn’t exist."

You can’t remove what doesn’t exist.

— Donald DukePresidential contender Donald Duke commenting on the existence of fuel subsidy.

Other significant developments include fresh military training initiatives by the United States for Nigerian troops. Additionally, a court battle is underway concerning the stalled selection of a new Awujale, a traditional leadership position. Protests have also emerged over Governor Seyi Makinde's alleged exclusion from the flag-off ceremony for the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode road, highlighting ongoing tensions in traditional institutions and infrastructure projects.

Terrorist facilitators use phone numbers for mobile banking or account alerts that are not registered to the account holder or the true beneficiary.

— NFIUThe Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit detailing methods used by terrorist facilitators.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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