FG Warns Landlords: Renting to Terrorists Attracts 20-Year Jail Term

The Federal Government has warned landlords who rent properties to terrorists, as well as individuals who host preparatory meetings with terrorist groups, that they risk prosecution under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

Mijinyawa Zakari, a director in the Legal Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), issued the warning on Tuesday in Abuja during a press briefing on the recently concluded 11th phase of the trial of terrorism suspects.Zakari said the law criminalises a wide range of terrorism-related activities, including preparatory offences and the provision of material or financial support to terrorist groups.

He noted that providing support to terrorism attracts a minimum prison sentence of 20 years, while knowingly renting properties to terrorists is also a prosecutable offence.

“A careful reading of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, will indicate that Sections 11 to 33 provide for a wide range of offences, including preparatory offences,” he said.He explained that the government’s strategy aims to dominate all aspects of the fight against terrorism by targeting not only direct perpetrators but also collaborators and facilitators.

“The strategy is to ensure that there is dominance across all fields. When you talk about collaborators, you deal with what the investigation has revealed. For example, providing support to terrorism attracts a minimum sentence of 20 years. Renting your property to a terrorist is also an offence. You may not have a clear-cut act of terrorism or a harmful act, but all those actions, including holding a preparatory meeting with a terrorist group, constitute offences,” Zakari stated.

He also cautioned companies against receiving funds linked to terrorism, warning that they could face severe sanctions even if the money is not ultimately used for a terrorist act. A company found guilty of receiving terrorist financing could be fined ₦200 million, while its principal officers could face prosecution and the company itself could be wound up.

Zakari urged Nigerians, particularly journalists and other stakeholders, to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Act to better understand what constitutes terrorism-related offences.

He added that the government is strengthening its investigative capacity to bring more individuals and organisations involved in terrorism financing and support to justice.