The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has revealed the presence of 27 cells associated with the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) across 22 countries globally, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
According to the NFIU, the US and UK host the largest numbers of these IPOB cells per country, with seven and six operational cells respectively.
This disclosure came through a newsletter exposing the funding of terror activities in Nigeria by IPOB, bandits, and other extremist groups through global crowdfunding and sports betting platforms.
In 2017, the Federal Government proscribed IPOB and labeled it a terrorist organization. Its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is currently facing terrorism charges.
The NFIU’s “Counter Terrorism Financial Newsletter” links the operation of IPOB to 54 individuals worldwide.
The document revealed: “The NFIU confirmed that the diaspora affiliates of the IPOB group have spread over 22 countries across the globe. Further analysis exposed 27 entities across the globe registered in the name of the group, the US and the UK had the highest number of registrations, having seven and six registered entities, respectively.
“The analysis further indicates that the group has several bank accounts in different countries where funds are being received from various contributors with the narrations ‘Monthly Dues, Services and for ESN’, among others, then later disbursed for various operations.
“It was confirmed that one of the major sources of revenue for the group is crowdfunding by several individuals abroad, mostly Nigerians.
“It was observed that over $160,000 was disbursed to Transmission, Media, and Broadcasting companies in Bulgaria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The analysis profiled the leader of the group, his addresses, and mobile numbers abroad with other 53 individuals associated with the dissident group. The report was forwarded to Law Enforcement for further investigation.”
The NFIU further revealed that a betting platform, simply identified as ‘XC’, filed a Suspicious Transaction Report on a 24-year Nigerian customer from North-Central, Nigeria.
“This 24-year-old from Nigeria’s North-Central region received over N350,000 in his betting wallet, believed to be ransom money from a kidnapping,” the NFIU said.
