₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government’s release of an updated list of 48 individuals and 12 entities allegedly linked to terrorism financing has triggered fresh public demand for immediate action, with security experts warning that failure to follow through could further erode trust in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.

The list, published on Saturday by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee, is one of the most comprehensive disclosures in recent times, targeting suspected financiers of violent groups operating across the country.

Sunday PUNCH reports that among the prominent names on the list are Finland-based factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Simon Ekpa, and the publisher of Desert Herald, Tukur Mamu.

The list also include groups such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province, and IPOB, as well as entities like West and East Africa General Trading, Settings Bureau De Change Ltd, and the Lakurawa Sect.


The development comes at a time the government says it has secured convictions in 386 terrorism cases out of 508 prosecuted, even as attacks continue across several states, including Borno, Kebbi, Kwara, and Zamfara.

The names also published on the NiGSAC website include Abdulsamat Ohida, Mohammed Sani, Abdurrahaman Abdurrahaman, Fatima Ishaq, Yusuf Ghazali, Muhammad Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, and Sallamudeen Hassan.

Others are Adamu Ishaq, Hassana Isah, Abdulkareem Musa, Umar Abdullahi, Abdurrahaman Ado, Bashir Yusuf, Ibrahim Alhassan, Muhammad Isah, Salihu Adamu, Surajo Mohammad, Fannami Bukar, Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail, Mohammed Buba, Adamu Hassan, Hassan Mohammed, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, Rabiu Suleiman, Godstime Iyare, Francis Mmaduabuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chiwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie, and Ogumu Kewe.


Other entities named as terrorism sponsors include G.Side General Enterprises, Desert Exchange Ventures Limited, Eagle Square General Trading Co. Ltd, Alfa Exchange BDC, Alin Yar Yaya General Enterprises, K. Are Nigeria Limited, Suhailah Bashir General Enterprises, Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises, Seficuvi Global Company, Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Ansarul Sudan, Islamic Province, Yan Group, and Yan Group NLBDG.

In 2024, the Federal Government similarly listed nine individuals and six organisations linked to terror financing, raising concerns over enforcement continuity.


Experts demand swift action

While analysts described the new list as a critical step forward, many insisted that naming suspects without decisive enforcement risks reducing the exercise to a symbolic gesture.

Security experts and retired senior law enforcement officers who spoke with Sunday PUNCH stressed that the next steps must be swift, coordinated, and transparent.

A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Salami Abduraheem, said the credibility of the government’s action would be measured not by the publication of names but by tangible outcomes.


“Publishing a list is only the beginning. The real test is what happens next: arrests, prosecution, and convictions.

“If these individuals continue to move freely weeks or months after being named, it sends a dangerous signal that the system lacks the capacity or will to act,” he said.

Abduraheem noted that in previous instances, announcements of terror financing networks were not always followed by sustained legal action, raising concerns about enforcement gaps.

Similarly, a former director in a federal security agency, Abdullahi Adeoye, warned that suspects may attempt to evade capture once publicly identified.

“Time is critical in cases like this. Once names are out, suspects are alerted. If there is no immediate action, freezing accounts, restricting movement, and making arrests, you risk losing valuable intelligence,” he said.

Adeoye added that coordinated action involving financial regulators, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement bodies is essential to disrupt networks effectively.

Legal, institutional challenges

A security analyst, Musa Aliyu, described the move as long overdue but raised concerns about Nigeria’s capacity to prosecute high-level terror financiers.

“It shouldn’t just be about releasing the list alone. They have to go a long way and ensure that due diligence is done.

“Honestly speaking, the Nigerian legal system is not adequately prepared to prosecute terror sponsors effectively. This is evident in the weaknesses in criminal justice administration,” he said.

Aliyu also expressed concern about the judiciary’s ability to handle terrorism-related cases, urging the National Assembly to strengthen legal frameworks.

“The kind of judiciary we have right now is not wired to diligently prosecute the kind of criminal activities related to terrorism. This is the time for the National Assembly to provide the necessary tools to ensure adequate punishment,” he said.

Aliyu further stressed the need to balance transparency with due process.

“Justice must be seen to be done for victims, those killed, abducted, or forced to pay ransom. Nigerians must be assured that the fight against terrorism is not selective,” he added.


Public trust, accountability

For many Nigerians, the release of the list represents a rare moment of transparency in the fight against terrorism.


However, civil society groups say transparency must be matched with accountability.

A security governance expert, Shola Muse, expressed scepticism about the government’s commitment.

“It is not about releasing names. What is the judicial value? What is the executive value at the end of the day? If the government is sincere, it must convince the public that they are ready this time to act decisively. Otherwise, it becomes a media jamboree,” he said.

Muse called for synergy among the three arms of government and security agencies.

“There must be judicial support, executive will, and political backing. Without sincere and coordinated efforts, these measures may not achieve the desired results,” he added.

A security governance expert, Kemi Babatunde, said public confidence had been weakened by past experiences.

“Nigerians have seen lists before. What they want now is action, visible, measurable action. This is not just about security; it is about trust,” she said.

Babatunde emphasised the need for clear and consistent communication on progress.

Public reactions

Following the development, many Nigerians took to social media platforms, including Facebook and X, to demand immediate action from security agencies.

A user, Fyneface Dumnamene, wrote, “Go beyond listing and prosecute them if you have facts.”

Another user, Frank Okpara, urged the government to follow up with investigations and summons.


“The FG should proceed with legal action to bring them to justice immediately,” Salawu Enesi added.

A security expert, David Babawale, outlined key steps the government must take to ensure success, including the immediate freezing of financial assets linked to suspects, swift arrest and interrogation of individuals on the list, and strengthened collaboration between intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

“The government needs to ensure the assets of the named individuals are immediately frozen, followed by swift arrests and increased collaboration between security agencies, transparent communication with the public, and fast-tracked prosecution through designated courts,” he wrote.

Babawale noted that these measures are critical to dismantling terror financing networks and preventing further attacks.

Legal framework, prosecution hurdles

Nigeria’s legal framework, particularly the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, provides the basis for prosecuting individuals involved in terror financing.

A Senior Associate at Yusuf O. Ali & Co, Taofiq Olateju, said successful prosecution requires more than intelligence reports.


“You need admissible evidence that can stand in court: financial trails, witness testimony, digital records. These must be properly gathered and presented,” he said.

Olateju also highlighted delays in the judicial process, adding, “In Nigeria, cases can drag on for years. By the time you get to judgment, public interest has waned, and sometimes the evidence chain is compromised.”

A retired Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Salami, pointed to systemic challenges such as weak inter-agency coordination and political interference.

“You have intelligence agencies, the police, the military, and financial regulators working on different aspects. Without a unified command structure, efforts can conflict,” he said.

Salami warned that political considerations could complicate enforcement.

“The fight against terrorism financing must be insulated from politics. Once people suspect selective enforcement, public confidence collapses,” he said.

386 terrorists convicted

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed that the government had secured hundreds of convictions in terrorism-related cases.

Speaking at the Federal High Court in Abuja, he said, “In total, we brought about 508 cases. Of these, we secured 386 convictions, eight discharges, two acquittals, and 112 adjournments.”

He added that the convictions should serve as a deterrent to others.

Despite these figures, experts insist that the effectiveness of Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy will ultimately be judged by its ability to dismantle financing networks and ensure that those named are brought to justice.

Source: https://punchng.com/nigerians-demand-action-as-fg-unveils-48-terror-sponsors

Are you guys telling me that APC merely published names, random names to mesmerize the public without accompanying data like state of origin, local government down to specific towns and picture evidence for that matter when they have not done due diligence and arrest of those listed?

Then the list is nothing but a huge joke just to deflect attention from the systemic destruction of democracy by the tinubu led government as currently ongoing, after they have destroyed the sanctity of life through insecurity they aided by their actions and inactions.

Nigerians are wiser!

The list is nothing but a mad joke, no pictures? No granular information on pointed names Omo this govt can do better abeg!

They are using this "Terror sponsor list" to catch cruise.
This is how you know an unserious government that doesn't care about it's citizens.

Instead of swooping into action, blocking funds, and terrorists, they are celebrating thier sponsors. Pathetic

Which way Nigeria? Is this up to the limited number of words ?

Why do we like deceiving one another in this country? What is the shortlisted for? What actions and profound solutions has the government put in place ahead?

How I wish the people in the state will only take their protests to the state and local government only?

Trash list. Nothing will be done. This is just a strategy by bat and his goons to blackmail these ones into supporting him. If you notice, all the alleged sponsors are of northern origin.

Oooooo fake. List wey resemble jamb admission list

We demand immediate action against them and not rhetorics.

Only a full will believe that list.

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They forgot Abdullahi Usman.

Who is Abdullahi Usman? It is a name that I made up but sounds like someone who fits the profile.

Names without faces and addresses is jokes taken too far. But then we are talking about Nigerians--people who love their lies served hot and will believe the same lies even if told a thousand times

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Why is Shettima, Gumi Ali Modu Sheriff Name Not Included

The fact that there are no pictures, the list to me appears to be fabricated. When I was going through the list, all I sense Is repetition of names. There is no way i will believe the list. They should not try to fool Nigerians.

Are these the real sponsors?

Apc roachezz demand action.

It's only a complete idiot that will believe that nonsense list.

They fear the hand shake between the north and South East, now they think their fraudulent list will set the SW, SS and other ethnic groups against the ADC SouthEast/Northern ticket.

I pity tinubu really.

Go after them,block their bank accounts as a first step.

No poor man can sponsored no group. Poor man can only be middle man . Please can you people 🙏 measure the bosses! Because this be like a joke and unserious government 🙄.

The list is a joke taken too far by Yekini Sangodele and his moribund agencies.

israelmao:
Terror sponsors with the mix of major languages enterprises.The legislature should come up with compulsory milltary enlistment bill for every well-abled Nigerian with our political leaders'children inclusive which will be passed and signed into law.You will see how insecurity in Nigeria will vanish into the thin air within a day.

Insecurity will vanish if there is no connivance of the natives.
Gun violence in USA preceded our insecurity and thousands of people are killed every month (around 3000-4000 ) in America because it is perpetrated by Americans and all successive Presidents of USA have not been able to stop it.
Military solution only cannot solve terrorism,it has never solved it anywhere in the world.
Even real wars always end at the negotiating table.
The terrorism in Nigeria has the element of...
Land grabbing.
Ethnic cleansing
Religion,politics and recently,Business.

While Nigerians want stiffer punishment like life imprisonment and death sentence to them, the federal government are thinking of giving them amnesty, implementation of carrot and stick approach negotiation with them, or worse still a 5 years or 20 years imprisonment to them

How do we believe a list with just names and no pictures. No arrests or prosecution.. what should the masses fo with the list? Jungle justuct?

FrancisIgya:
We demand immediate action against them and not rhetorics.

Against which people? Mere random names?

This list is just like throwing bones to a dog disturbing your peace to keep it busy.

They should have supplied pictures and other identifiable information so that I can know if the Ngozi Njoku on the list is my relation or the one I schooled with.

Do you know how many Adamu Ismail they have in the north? How do we know the particular one without additional information?

The list was printed in Tinubu's printing press in oluwole Lagos island. Expect nothing good from it.

Nigerians don't even need to demand action, the FG or whatever they call their name should do the needful without unnecessary fanfare.

Putinofrussia:
Insecurity will vanish if there is no connivance of the natives.
Gun violence in USA preceded our insecurity and thousands of people are killed every year in America because it is perpetrated by Americans and all successive Presidents of USA have not been able to stop it.
Military solution only cannot solve terrorism,it has never solved it anywhere in the world.
Even real wars always end at the negotiating table.
The terrorism in Nigeria has the element of...
Land grabbing.
Ethnic cleansing
Religion and politics.

When all the actors are involved in compulsory milltary enlistment or conscription you will see wonder of how it will come to an end.

This obviously is a fabrication

Rubbish and just needless performative nonsense.Where are the names of compromised officers in the armed forces without who terrorists wouldn't have been able to develop the foothold they have now? Where are the names of compromised Customs officers who get paid to look the other way while deadly weapons are imported into the country?

YOU GUYZ SHOULD GO AND LEARN FROM ISREAL HOW TO HANDLE TERRORIST MATTER,
This country is a joke! 🤣
Nigeria we hail thee!

The north and the east Collab on this one

I think that list wasn't complete enough. Where their pictures?

adenigga:
Source: https://punchng.com/nigerians-demand-action-as-fg-unveils-48-terror-sponsors

FG should execute this terrorists on live broadcast to serve as deterrent to upcoming terrorist

Look at Muslim countries, they deal with you in public so that others will not even think of doing nonsense

For Christians who still believe in Islamic terrorists who you all read the list yesterday there are so many igbo among them like EZE, OWOH, JULIANA etc so before you keep believing USA telling you Islamic terrorists go to TikTok and see USA parliament explaining how they are the same USA funding BOKOHARAM, ALQAEDA ,ISIS etc

Nigeria shall be great as all enemies will perish with their generation