• Experts tell FG to stop illicit financial flows to end terrorism

Linus Aleke and Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has ordered the reinforcement of security assets in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, following recent attacks in the area.

He has also deployed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 4 Headquarters, Makurdi, AIG Dankombo Morris, to the state for an operational assessment.

The move came weeks after the IGP directed all Deputy Inspectors-General of Police to relocate to their respective zones to coordinate ongoing operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements threatening communities across the country.

According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, AIG Morris visited AKawel Community in Mushere District, Bokkos Local Government Area, where he engaged community leaders, traditional rulers and other key stakeholders to assess the security situation and strengthen ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the affected communities.

During the visit, the AIG conveyed the condolences of the Inspector-General of Police and the Force Management Team to families affected by the attacks.

He assured residents of the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice, stressing that all lawful measures were being deployed to apprehend those responsible and prevent further acts of violence.

Morris further disclosed that, on the directive of the IGP, additional security assets had been deployed to Plateau State, particularly to communities affected by the attacks in Bokkos, to bolster ongoing operations, enhance security presence and support efforts to restore normalcy.

He urged residents to remain law-abiding and refrain from reprisals capable of undermining ongoing peace and security initiatives.

As part of the operational visit, the AIG also paid courtesy calls on the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, and the Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba.

During the engagements, he conveyed the condolences of the Force leadership and reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to sustained collaboration with the state government in addressing security challenges across Plateau State.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to working closely with relevant stakeholders and sister security agencies to protect lives and property, maintain public safety and support lasting peace in Plateau State and across the country.

Experts Tell FG to Stop Illicit Financial Flows to End Terrorism

The Africa Network for Environment an Economic Justice, ANEEJ has warned that in the face of increasing acts of banditry, insurgency and other forms of criminality, the federal government must stop Illicit Financial Flows, noting that it has been a bane to the Nigerian economy.

“With blocking IFF, there will be no money to sponsor terror, purchase of gums will be starved and illegal cash flow which have been crucial to the nations security will be tackled.

“Illicit Financial Flows, IFF is the Illegal movement of money across borders from corruption, crime, or tax evasion which drains funds meant for development in diverse sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, etc.”

Speaking in Abuja on the topic, “Strengthening CSOs and media capacity to contribute to the gift against IFF in Nigeria” during a two-day workshop for journalists on addressing IFF in Nigeria, Deputy Executive Director of ANEEJ, Dr. Leo Atakpu, said the IFFs has remained the key issue of concern in Nigeria.

He cited the United Nations and African Union report that 148 billion dollars was stolen from Africa annually and 40 billion dollars between 2001 and 2010 in Nigeria alone.

Atakpu stated that beam lights should be focused on money laundering, financial terrorism and proliferation financing which have continued to pose as significant threats to the global financial system.

He lamented on weak capacity on the part of many civil society organizations for their failure to engage the issues and contribute meaningfully by holding the government accountable in tacking the menace.

“If we stop terrorism in Nigeria, we must stop illicit financial flow. Resources don’t have to be in only crude, but can also be natural minerals such as gold, lithium, copper and others.

“Nigeria remained on the grey list in 2004, up till recently in 2025 when Nigeria was delisted. There are documented effort by the Nigerian government to tackle IFF, however, IFFs persists as there are gaps. It has not fully solved the problem,” he added.

In his presentation, SecFin Africa representative, Prof Abdullahi Shehu revealed that the reports of the International Monetary Fund, IMF 2025 estimated that Nigeria is the third largest economy in Africa with GDP of 290 billion dollars.

Titled “Understanding IFFs in Nigeria: Concepts, typology and development impacts”, Shehu disclosed that the largest chunk of illicit flows in Africa pegged at 20 per cent, emanated from Nigeria with 10 billion dollars.