The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has uncovered the alleged funding of terrorist activities in Nigeria by groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), bandits, and other terror groups through global crowdfunding and sports betting platforms.

According to revelations from the NFIU’s Counter-Financing of Terrorism Department, IPOB reportedly received funds through affiliates in 22 countries, with at least 27 entities registered under the group’s name. Notably, seven registrations were made in the United States, while six were in the United Kingdom.

The NFIU disclosed that over $160,000 raised by IPOB through crowdfunding was channeled to transmission, media, and broadcasting companies in Bulgaria, South Africa, and the UK. The analysis further revealed that IPOB has multiple bank accounts in various countries, where funds are received from contributors under different pretexts such as ‘monthly dues’ and ‘services’, later disbursed for various operations, including the activities of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The NFIU’s investigation also profiled the leader of IPOB, along with 53 other individuals associated with the group, providing their addresses and mobile numbers abroad. The findings have been forwarded to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.

Additionally, the NFIU highlighted cases of financial transactions linked to terrorism, including a suspicious transaction report filed by a betting platform (‘XC’) on a 24-year-old Nigerian customer from North-Central Nigeria. The individual received over N350,000 in his betting wallet, believed to be ransom money from a kidnapping.

Furthermore, the NFIU exposed a terrorist attempting to evade detection by making structured cash withdrawals from different Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and purchasing flight tickets to high-risk areas using credit cards. Whenever the individual exceeded his withdrawal limit, alternative methods of travel were adopted.