The Federal Government’s release of a fresh list of individuals and entities allegedly linked to terrorism financing has sparked renewed calls for swift and decisive action.
The list, published by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee, names 48 individuals and 12 organisations, including Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, and the Indigenous People of Biafra. Also listed are Finland-based IPOB factional leader Simon Ekpa and publisher Tukur Mamu.
Security experts, however, warned that publishing names alone is insufficient without immediate enforcement. They stressed the need for arrests, asset freezes, and prosecution to avoid undermining public confidence.
A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Salami Abduraheem, said the credibility of the move would depend on tangible outcomes, warning that delays could allow suspects to evade justice.
Similarly, analysts highlighted challenges within Nigeria’s legal and judicial systems, noting that weak prosecution frameworks and poor inter-agency coordination could hinder effective action.
Despite government claims of securing 386 convictions out of 508 terrorism-related cases, stakeholders insist that dismantling financing networks and ensuring accountability remain critical.
Many Nigerians have also taken to social media to demand concrete action, emphasising that transparency must be matched with visible results to restore trust in the country’s counterterrorism efforts.
