The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has apprehended 11 suspected high-level members of terrorist groups in Nigeria.
The arrests were made during a two-month operation codenamed “Operation Catalyst,” conducted in collaboration with the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL) across six African countries, including Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, and South Sudan.
The operation targeted terrorism financing and supporting illegal activities, resulting in the arrest of 83 individuals and the identification of 160 persons of interest.
Over $260 million in fiat and virtual currencies potentially linked to terrorism-related activities was uncovered, with over $600,000 seized.
A massive cryptocurrency-based Ponzi scheme affecting 17 countries, including Nigeria, was also discovered, with estimated losses of $562 million.
Interpol Secretary General, Valdecy Urquiza, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in tackling terrorism financing, saying, “Operation Catalyst shows the power of coordinated global law enforcement action in dismantling the complex web of terrorism financing.” AFRIPOL Executive Director, Ambassador Jalel Chelba, added that the joint effort demonstrates Africa’s enhanced capacity to respond collectively to transnational security threats.
