Nigeria's financial intelligence architecture moved against key terrorism financing suspects before similar action was taken by the United States, officials have disclosed, highlighting what they describe as growing international confidence in the country's counter-terrorism financing intelligence.
Desk: Financial Intelligence & National Security
Date: Thursday, July 2, 2026
Time: 13:20 PM WAT
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Author: Nokai Origin
Speaking during a Joint Security Press Briefing convened by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, Kingsley Amaku, Divisional Head, National Coordination Office of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), said the National Sanctions Committee designated the affected Bureau De Change operators and individuals on 8 June 2026, days before corresponding action by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Amaku, who spoke on behalf of the National Sanctions Committee Secretariat, explained that the American action reflected intelligence cooperation rather than external initiation.
According to him, the United States relied substantially on intelligence developed through Nigeria's own investigations and collaborative counter-terrorism financing framework.
"The U.S. piggybacks on the intelligence we provided because we work together collaboratively," he said, describing the development as international validation of Nigeria's intelligence-gathering and evidence-based sanctions process.
He said the National Sanctions Committee operates as part of Nigeria's wider security intelligence architecture, coordinating targeted financial sanctions designed to prevent terrorist organisations from accessing funds and financial services.
Amaku declined to disclose operational intelligence methods but assured that Nigeria's financial intelligence capabilities continue to evolve alongside changing terrorist financing tactics.
He added that the NFIU maintains close operational collaboration with law enforcement and intelligence agencies in identifying, tracking and disrupting financial networks supporting terrorism.
The disclosure complements operational achievements earlier presented by the NFIU during the same briefing, including Nigeria's removal from the European Union's list of high-risk third countries, expanded international intelligence-sharing partnerships, preparations for the 2027 FATF Mutual Evaluation, and strengthened cooperation with domestic and foreign financial intelligence agencies.
Officials said these reforms have significantly strengthened Nigeria's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework while improving international confidence in the country's financial regulatory system.
The briefing also highlighted recent sanctions against six individuals and three Bureau De Change companies linked to alleged terrorism financing, with financial institutions directed to freeze associated assets in accordance with Nigerian law and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Tags: NFIU, National Sanctions Committee, OFAC, Terrorism Financing, ONSA, Financial Intelligence, AML, Counter Terrorism
#NFIU #ONSA #CounterTerrorism #FinancialIntelligence #AML #NationalSecurity #ZigDiaries
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