How Nigeria sanctions Tukur Mamu, Ekpa, 46 others over alleged terror sponsorship, financing –Official

*The Nigerian Government through the Sanctions Committee discloses identities, and sanctions on individuals and organisations it has described as an interconnected web of financiers, couriers, and operatives linked to violent activities across the West African country and beyond

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In line with global efforts at addressing terrorism as a growing social menace, the Nigerian Government has disclosed identities and sanctions against popular negotiator Tukur Mamu, and 47 other individuals and organisations.

ConsumerConnect reports the Federal Government said the named individuals and organisations were alleged to have been involved in terrorism financing and operational support for extremist groups in the country over the years.

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On the list is Simon Ekpa, a former self-proclaimed prime minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who was tried in Finland.

The updated list released at the weekend via the sanctions committee’s platform, outlines what authorities describe as an interconnected web of financiers, couriers and operatives linked to violent activities across Nigeria and beyond.

Saturday’s action reportedly indicated a renewed push by the Nigerian authorities to tighten financial surveillance and accountability around terror-linked networks.

They equally noted that further designations and enforcement measures could follow as investigations deepen on alleged offences against the state.

Among those highlighted is Abdulsamat Ohida, identified as a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), operating in Okene, in Kogi State.

Likewise, the Nigerian authorities linked Ohida to two major incidents in 2022 — the June 5 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and the July 5 assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja — both of which drew national and international condemnation.

Mentioned also is Mohammed Sani, described as a member of Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam (ANSARU), a faction associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

The Federal Government said Sani reportedly received training under Muktar Belmokhtar, widely known as “One Eyed”, and developed expertise in covert communications and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Officials on the Sanctions Committee further alleged that Sani acted as a courier and travel guide for operatives across Algeria and Mali, and was among those who escaped during the Kuje prison break July 2022, in the FCT.

Abdurrahman Abdurrahman, another prominent figure on the list, was identified as a senior ISWAP commander based in Okene, as authorities outlined the group’s operational evolution.

It also stated: “The group emerged in 2012 as the North-Central wing of Boko Haram, and later re-aligned with ISWAP after the death of its leader in 2016.

“The group has been linked to attacks around the Federal Capital Territory and the South-West, including the Owo church attack.”

The list as well includes Fatima Ishaq, who was described as a financial courier allegedly responsible for distributing funds to widows and families of ISWAP fighters.

Hitherto, central to the government’s case is Tukur Mamu.

The government has accused Mamu of facilitating ransom transactions tied to the Abuja-Kaduna train attack. The government stated that he “participated in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransom payments over the sum of $200,000 in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.”

Besides, financial trails also featured prominently in the sanctions update. Yusuf Ghazali was accused of transferring N20 million in 2015 to Surajo Abubakar Muhammad and N40 million to Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, both identified as convicts.

Authorities further alleged that Abubakar Adamu, also known as “Yellow”, received N189 million from Ghazali between 2016 and 2018, maintaining links with the group’s leader, Alhaji Saidu Ahmed.

Investigators found out Ghazali’s ownership of entities cited in a United Arab Emirates court judgment, which allegedly facilitated the movement of terrorist funds from Dubai into Nigeria.

Usama Muhammad was also listed as a key contact in Zamfara State, accused of receiving N57 million from Yawale Muhammad between 2014 and 2017, alongside maintaining financial dealings with other indicted figures.

Sanctions Committee lists other individuals, organisations

The sanctions list further named dozens of individuals, including Abubakar Muhammad, Allamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana Isah, Abdulkareem Musa, Umar Abdullahi, Abdurrahman Ado, Bashir Yusuf, Ibrahim Alhassan, Muhammad Muhammad Isah, Salihu Adamu.

Others include Surajo Mohammad, Fannami Bukar, Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail, Mohammed Buba, Adamu Hassan, Hassan Mohammed, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, Rabiu Suleiman, Simon Njoku, Godstime Iyare, Francis Mmaduabuchi, John Onwumere, Chukwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chiwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie and Ogumu Kewe.

Aside from these, organisations flagged in the update include Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Ansarul Sudan (ANSARU), Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Indigenous Biafra (IPOB), Yan Group and Yan Group NLBDG.

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