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Nigeria’s fight against terrorism financing is deeper and more secretive than the public realises, according to the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, who says the federal government cannot openly name those bankrolling terror groups.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Benson disclosed that several suspected financiers, both local and international, have been on security radar “for a very long time,” with agencies quietly tracking, probing, and identifying them.
He said, “The financiers of terrorists in Nigeria cannot be tried in public, a lot of them are under scrutiny for a very long time now. By scrutiny, I mean tried and identified. Some of them are local, and some are international. The government has done a lot in recent times. The public cannot know who they are because of security.”
Benson noted that although Nigerians may not see the drama unfold, a massive behind-the-scenes operation is ongoing to cripple the funding networks that fuel terrorism.
He explained that the sustained pressure has already forced many of the suspects to retreat, weakening the financial pipeline that insurgent groups rely on.
“A lot of them can’t think of financing anybody anymore. I can assure you that work is in progress. A responsible government will deal with these people at the appropriate time,” he said.
He further revealed that Nigeria is not working alone, as global partners are actively involved in tracking, prosecuting, and tightening the noose around those responsible.
More developments are expected as security agencies intensify the silent war against terror financiers.
