Crowd-funding, betting platforms and online transfers have been listed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) as channels through which terror organisations receive funds for their activities.
A part of a recent newsletter by NFIU’s Counter-Financing of Terrorism Department, specifically highlighted how the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) received funds.
It also gave an insight into how a young man from the North-central got cash believed to be ransom for a kidnapping.
The name of the 24-year-old Nigerian was not given by NFIU which said IPOB also has “a concerning financial structure such as monthly dues and services for ESN (Eastern Security Network.”
ESN is IPOB’s armed wing.
The NFIU added that IPOB has affiliates made up of Nigerians in 22 countries that have registered at least 27 entities under the group’s name.
Seven of the registrations, according to the newsletter, were made in the United States(US) and six in the United Kingdom.
It said that over $160,000 raised by IPOB through crowd-funding was funnelled to transmission, media and broadcasting companies in Bulgaria, South Africa and the UK.
The NFIU newsletter also said “addresses and mobile numbers” of the leaders of the affiliates along with information on 53 other individuals associated with the group(IPOB) “have been forwarded to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.
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