FG names Mamu, Ansaru, IPOB, 45 other terror financiers

The Federal Government through the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC) yesterday updated its list of 48 persons and organisations linked to terrorism financing in the country.

Prominent names on the list include the detained newspaper publisher Tukur Mamu, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Ansarul Sudan (Ansaru) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Ansarul Sudan (Ansaru) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are largely responsible for the long running insurgency in the northern part of the country

Tukur Mamu is accused of participating in terrorism financing by receiving and delivering ransom payments exceeding $200,000 to ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

Also on the list is Abdulsamat Ohida, described as a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province in Okene, Kogi State. Authorities linked Ohida to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and the July 5, 2022 assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja

Another suspect, Mohammed Sani, is described as a member of the Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam (ANSARU), a group associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

According to the federal government, Sani was trained under Muktar Belmokhtar, also known as ‘One Eyed’, and specialised in designing clandestine communication codes and improvised explosive devices.

He is also said to be a courier and travel guide for AQIM operatives in Algeria and Mali.

He reportedly escaped during the Kuje prison break in July 2022

Abdurrahman Abdurrahman, another senior ISWAP commander in Okene, was also named. The federal government said the group emerged in 2012 as the North-Central wing of Boko Haram and later re-aligned with ISWAP following the death of its leader in 2016

The group has been linked to attacks around the Federal Capital Territory and the South-West, including the Owo church attack.

Fatima Ishaq was listed as a financial courier to ISWAP Okene, allegedly responsible for disbursing funds to widows and families of fighters.