Nigeria has successfully prosecuted over 730 terrorism-related cases as part of its intensified efforts to disrupt terrorist financing, according to Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
Speaking on Monday at a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) simulation exercise in Abuja, Laka disclosed that more than 90 of these cases received direct support from the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). He praised the NFIU’s collaboration with other security agencies, which he said has significantly disrupted the financial networks of terrorist organizations.
“Disrupting the financial lifelines of terrorist organizations is central to our national counterterrorism strategy,” Laka stated. “We are committed to this cause and value our partnerships with both local and international stakeholders, including the U.S. Department of Treasury.”
He highlighted the crucial role played by the Joint Standard Investigation Committee on Terrorism Financing and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to combat illicit financial flows that threaten national and regional stability.
The FATF meeting and simulation exercise were designed to assess Nigeria’s preparedness for its upcoming FATF evaluation and to strengthen inter-agency coordination in tackling money laundering and terrorism financing.
“This is not just a routine exercise,” Laka noted. “It is a critical simulation to test the robustness of our institutional response and harmonize strategies ahead of the FATF assessment.”
Hajiya Hafsat Bakari, CEO of the NFIU, echoed this sentiment, commending the country’s progress in fulfilling the 19-point FATF action plan. She revealed that Nigeria will host 11 FATF reviewers, covering all key compliance areas—a sign of growing international confidence in Nigeria’s financial oversight framework.
Bakari also announced that Nigeria has been invited to join the FATF as a guest member, allowing the country to participate in global discussions under its own flag.
“This recognition reflects the excellent work we’ve done and marks a significant step toward full membership,” she said. “The eyes of the global FATF network are on Nigeria, and we are prepared to meet the challenge.”
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