Military, NFIU disrupt terrorists’ funding networks — Defence minister

The military and intelligence agencies have disrupted key financial and operational networks supporting Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Defence Minister Christopher Musa has said.

Musa said the disruption had weakened the ability of terrorist groups to carry out the large-scale attacks that previously characterised the insurgency, leaving them increasingly dependent on abductions and kidnappings to generate funds.

The minister spoke in Abuja during a live interview covering counter-terrorism operations, illicit financing, border security, political safety and the welfare of military personnel and veterans.

“We don’t have those brazen attacks that used to be,” Musa said.

He explained that sustained military offensives against terrorist enclaves had changed the nature of the threat.

“Before now, Boko Haram would go to places, attack areas, and go. You don’t hear of that anymore. The trajectory has moved from insurgency back downwards toward terrorism, abductions and kidnapping because that is the easiest way for desperate networks to try and raise money,” he said.

Musa said security agencies were working with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to identify and block channels through which terrorists receive funds.

He said investigations had uncovered alleged attempts to move illicit funds through proxy bank accounts, social media crowdfunding platforms and cryptocurrency.

According to the minister, Nigeria is also adopting additional international counter-terrorism financing mechanisms following discussions with the United States Department of State to disrupt links between ISIS and its affiliates operating in Nigeria.

He warned individuals and businesses providing terrorists with fuel, food, water and other supplies that such assistance sustains the conflict and exposes more communities to attacks.

On the country’s wider security situation, Musa linked some recent incidents to what he described as a recurring pattern associated with approaching political cycles.

With political campaigns expected to commence in January ahead of the 2027 elections, he raised concerns that some interests could be exploiting security incidents to portray the government negatively.

The minister, however, assured Nigerians that security agencies would provide protection for political parties, candidates and citizens throughout the campaign period.

He also disclosed that surveillance had been strengthened along Nigeria’s vulnerable borders, including the approximately 1,500-kilometre frontier with Niger Republic.

Musa said the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service had deployed specialised control hubs equipped with real-time cameras and drones to monitor movements along identified border corridors.

He added that the military had increased its operational structure from eight to 12 divisions, with four new divisions created to improve responses to security threats in different locations.

The expansion, he said, was being complemented by increased recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, while the creation of a Homeland Adviser position was intended to improve coordination of domestic intelligence.

Musa further revealed that the Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency were completing investigations into an alleged plot to undermine Nigeria’s democratic system.

He said the investigation was partly linked to allegations involving a colonel accused of misleading younger officers into the scheme.

Following the incident, the military, according to Musa, strengthened its vetting processes, including more rigorous checks on the backgrounds, mental capacity and loyalty of recruits and personnel assigned to sensitive duties, particularly those serving within the Presidency.

The defence minister also said military pressure was encouraging some terrorists to surrender after realising that extremist groups had deceived them.

He disclosed that more than 700 abducted persons had been rescued through ongoing security operations across the country.

Musa said the government’s counter-terrorism strategy was not limited to military action, stressing the need to tackle extremist ideology and radicalisation that continue to provide recruitment opportunities for terrorist organisations.

On the welfare of personnel, the minister confirmed that President Bola Tinubu had approved an upward review of salaries and pensions for serving military personnel and veterans.

Musa, who said he is also a military pensioner, added that the President had directed measures to address delays in the payment of veterans’ pensions. He said the next harmonised pension payments were scheduled for the end of September 2026.

The minister urged Nigerians to support security efforts by promptly reporting suspicious movements and activities through established channels.

He also said stronger cooperation among the armed forces and other security agencies had helped eliminate inter-service rivalry and improve joint operations.

“The armed forces are stable, inter-agency service rivalries have completely gone, and we are working assiduously as a unified unit to guarantee total tactical superiority,” he said.