News
FG reveals identities of 15 terrorism financiers
The Federal Government, FG, claims to have discovered the identities of 15 entities, including nine persons and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, that are allegedly involved in terrorism financing.
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit confirmed the development in an email received to our correspondent on Tuesday night, marked “Designation of Individuals and Entities for March 18, 2024.”
The paper disclosed that the Nigeria Sanctions Committee met on March 18, 2024, where certain persons and businesses were recommended for sanction due to their involvement in terrorist financing.
“The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, with the approval of the President, has thereupon designated the following individuals and entities to be listed on the Nigeria Sanctions List,” the document read in part.
Among the individuals named in the document was a Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, who is currently being tried by the Federal Government for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.
According to the document, Mamu “participated in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransome payments over the sum of $200,000 US in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.”
The document said one of the individuals is “the suspected attacker of the St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, Ondo State on June 5, 2022 and the Kuje Correctional Center, Abuja on July 5, 2022.”
Another was described as “a member of the terrorist group Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam, the group is associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
“The subject was trained and served under Muktar Belmokhtar, aka One Eyed Out, led Al-Murabtoun Katibat of AQIM in Algeria and Mali.”
The NFIU said the individual “specialises in designing terrorist clandestine communication code and he is also Improvised Explosive Device expert.
“The subject was also a gate keeper to ANSARU leader, Mohammed Usman aka Khalid Al-Bamawi. Equally, he was a courier and travel guide to AQIM Katibat in the desert of Algeria and Mali. He is into carpentry. Subject fled Kuje correctional centre on July 5, 2022. He is currently at large.”
Another was identified as “a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province Okene.”
The agency said, the individual “came into limelight in 2012 as North Central wing of Boko Haram.
“The group is suspected of the attacks carried out around Federal Capital Territory and the South West Geographical Zone, including the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.”
Another was described as “a financial courier to ISWAP Okene. She is responsible for the disbursement of funds to the widows/wives of the terrorist fighters of the group.”
According to the document, another of the individuals “in 2015, transferred N60m to terrorism convicts.”
He was also said to have “received a sum of N189m between 2016 and 2018.”
The same person is said to “own entities and business reported in the UAE court judgment as facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Nigeria.”
Another individual was said to have “received a total of N57m from between 2014 and 2017.”
Another was said to have “had a total inflow of N61.4 bn and a total outflow of N51.7bn from his accounts.”
The document further revealed that, in accordance with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, institutions and individuals are required to:
“(a) immediately, identify and freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets, and any other economic resources belonging to the designated persons and entities in your possession and report same to the Sanctions Committee;
“(b) report to the Sanctions Committee any assets frozen or actions taken in compliance with the prohibition requirements.
“(c) immediately file a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU for further analysis on the financial activities of such an individual or entity; and
“(d) report as a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU, all cases of name matching in financial transactions prior to or after receipt of this List. ”
It said the “The freezing obligation required above shall extend to
“(a) all funds or other assets that are owned or controlled by the designated persons and entities, and not only those that are tied to a particular act, plot, or threat of terrorism or terrorism financing;
“(b) those funds or other assets that are wholly or jointly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by designated persons or entities;
“(c) the funds or other assets derived or generated from funds or other assets owned or controlled directly or indirectly by designated persons or entities; and
“(d) funds or other assets of persons and entities acting on behalf of, or at the direction of designated persons or entities.
In a landmark decision, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Alfred Abah as the Senior Special Assistant on Civil Service Matters, marking the creation of a brand-new role within Nigeria’s Civil Service.
Abah, a retired director from the Federal Civil Service, is tasked with improving the administration and operational efficiency of the civil service.
The appointment was officially announced by Eno Olotu, Director of Press at the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, on Wednesday.
This new role is seen as a critical step in modernizing and enhancing the performance of Nigeria’s civil service system.
Didi Walson-Jack, the Head of Civil Service, expressed her gratitude to President Tinubu for establishing this unprecedented position, emphasizing that Abah’s leadership will play a key role in transforming the effectiveness of the civil service.
The statement read, “She emphasized that this strategic decision reflects the administration’s commitment to advancing ongoing reform efforts aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Civil Service.
“Mr. Alfred Abah, an accomplished administrator and a retired Director of the Federal Civil Service, brings with him a wealth of experience, deep expertise, and a solid reputation for integrity and professionalism. With over three decades of dedicated service in various key roles across the public sector, his track record speaks to his capability in driving reforms and fostering organisational excellence.
“The HCSF noted that, under the leadership of President Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda, the Nigerian Civil Service has witnessed transformative progress. These reforms have boosted the confidence of the Nigerian people in the government’s dedication to good governance and public service excellence.”
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has officially announced the commencement of recruitment for its Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC33/2024), inviting qualified graduates and post-graduates to apply for officer training in various professional fields.
In a statement issued by Air Vice Marshal A.H. Bakari on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, the NAF encouraged interested applicants to register online at no cost through the official recruitment portal: [www.nafrecruitment.airforce.mil.ng](http://www.nafrecruitment.airforce.mil.ng).
The online registration process will begin on October 14, 2024, and will remain open until November 26, 2024.
This presents a valuable opportunity for prospective candidates to join the Nigerian Air Force and contribute to the nation’s defense and security efforts.
Applicants are advised to thoroughly review the required disciplines before submitting their applications, as the NAF has emphasized that multiple submissions or errors will lead to automatic disqualification.
“Only one application can be made, as once submitted, it cannot be corrected. Multiple applications will result in disqualification,” the NAF warned.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the Direct Short Service Commission, applicants must:
- Be Nigerian by birth.
- Meet the height requirements of 1.66 meters for males and 1.63 meters for females.
- Be medically, physically, and psychologically fit.
- Have no criminal convictions.
- Be aged between 20 and 30 years.
- However, Medical Consultants are eligible between the ages of 25 and 40 years.
The NAF emphasized the importance of applicants meeting these criteria, noting that failure to meet any of the conditions will lead to disqualification.
Qualification requirements
Applicants must possess at least a Second Class Upper Division for degree holders or an Upper Credit for HND holders.
Additionally, candidates must have credits in English, Mathematics, and three other subjects relevant to their course of study. Computer literacy is considered an added advantage.
The NAF also requires applicants to have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and present either a Discharge Certificate or a Letter of Exemption at the time of application.
Registration with relevant professional bodies in Nigeria is required where applicable.
Aptitude tests will be scheduled, and candidates are expected to monitor the NAF recruitment portal for updates on the dates and locations of the tests.
Any false declarations or multiple submissions will lead to disqualification.
All application submissions must be completed within the given timeframe, and applicants are required to print and sign all relevant documents upon successful application.
Required documents
Upon completing the application process, candidates whose submissions meet the stipulated requirements will be required to print the following documents:
Local Government Area Attestation Form, signed by a Military/Police Officer of appropriate rank, or other approved authorities.
Parent/Guardian Consent Form.
Attestation of Good Character Form.
Acknowledgment Form.
These documents are necessary to complete the application process, and invalid applications will not generate these slips.
Further details are available on the Nigerian Air Force website, applicants may also contact NAF support lines at 07052683575 and 07030562381 or via email at careers@airforce.mil.ng for inquiries.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified that it is not accountable for the recent surge in petrol prices following the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) announcement of significant increases in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
On Wednesday, the NNPCL raised petrol prices across the country, causing prices to jump to N1,030 per litre in Abuja, up from N897.
In Lagos, the price increased from N855 to N998, while regions in the South-South now face prices as high as N1,075. The North-East has seen prices reach N1,070, with the South-East at N1,045 and other South-West states at N1,025 per litre.
In response to the public outcry, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that the Federal Government did not influence NNPCL’s decision to raise prices.
He emphasized that the company’s actions were a direct response to current market conditions within the energy sector.
Since the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, the government has lost its ability to regulate fuel prices, as stipulated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
This shift has led to fluctuations in fuel prices based on market dynamics, leaving many Nigerians concerned about the rising cost of living.
“The differential you’re seeing is a result of different factors. One of them is the crisis in the Middle East. There’s volatility in the market. Therefore, the prices of petroleum products are going up, consistent with what is happening with other operators in the industry globally.
“Secondly, NNPC cannot continue to absorb these losses for Nigeria because as a limited liability company, it would be operating at a loss,” he said.
The Minister appealed to Nigerians to understand the situation, assuring that prices would eventually decrease.
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