EXCLUSIVE: Intelligence Report Exposes Nigerian, International Network Funding Boko Haram Through 1,801 Bank Accounts

In April 2017, six Nigerians were arrested in Dubai on charges related to money laundering and terrorist financing.

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has mapped an extensive network of individuals, companies, and international affiliates linked to the financing and support of Boko Haram, revealing the complexity and reach of the group’s financial operations.

The NFIU’s report highlights the critical role of financial and logistical networks in sustaining Boko Haram’s operations.

According to the agency, terrorist groups depend on a wide array of resources to maintain their operational, organisational, and personal activities. Disrupting these networks is considered essential to safeguarding national security and protecting development initiatives.

Following presidential approval on January 10, 2020, the NFIU assumed full control over investigations into Boko Haram’s financing.

The unit analysed suspicious transaction reports from financial institutions, records of six Nigerians convicted in the United Arab Emirates for terrorism financing in 2019, and intelligence from the Nigerian Army and other law enforcement agencies.

In April 2017, six Nigerians were arrested in Dubai on charges related to money laundering and terrorist financing.

In 2019, the Abu Dhabi Federal Appeal Court convicted them of terrorist crimes and financing terrorist organisations outside the UAE under the country’s counter-terrorism laws, finding them to be members or agents of Boko Haram.

The sentences were as follows: Saluhu Yusuf Adamu, life imprisonment; Surajo Abubakar Muhammad, life imprisonment; Ibrahim Aliyu Alhassan, 10 years imprisonment; Abdurrahman Ado Musa, 10 years imprisonment; Bashir Aliyu Yusuf, 10 years imprisonment; and Muhammad Ibrahim Isa, 10 years imprisonment.

This marked a significant UAE legal action against individuals linked to Boko Haram operations abroad.

The analysis also incorporated open-source data, including United Nations Security Council reports and social media research, as well as information shared by foreign financial intelligence units in Germany, the Czech Republic, Rwanda, Benin, Cameroon, and Niger.

Individuals Linked to Financing Operations

The report identified ninety-six individuals connected to Boko Haram financing across Nigeria. These suspects operate in several key locations, including Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory, Yola in Adamawa, Maiduguri in Borno, Zaria in Kaduna, Kano, Ilorin in Kwara, Lagos, Sokoto, Gusau in Zamfara, and Niger State.

Kano accounted for the highest number of suspects, totalling 58 individuals.

Notable individuals mentioned include Ibrahim Mohammed, Umar Abubakar, Haruna Muhammad, Mustapha Sani, Sulaiman Sani, Faiza Salihu, Sumayya Ahmed Tata, Mohammed Sani Alison, Abubakar Sani, Sale Danladi Samaila, Rabiu Abdulmalik, Mustapha Adamu Musa, Aliyu Danladi Samaila, and numerous others identified across multiple regions of the country.

The investigation also revealed the involvement of numerous companies linked to these individuals. These include trading companies, general business enterprises, automobile service providers, mining companies, jewellers, and Bureau De Change (BDC) operations.

Companies directly owned by suspects include Yaura Bureau De Change Nigeria Limited, Mussa Emma Bureau De Change Limited, Alfa Exchange Bureau De Change Limited, Danwali Bureau De Change Limited, and Fankes Bureau De Change Limited. Other BDCs reportedly used by suspects include Amax Cash Bureau De Change Limited, Aminchi Global Commercial Bureau De Change Limited, Algaje Bureau De Change Limited, Kanari Bureau De Change Limited, and As Sunnah Bureau De Change Limited.

Local and international companies tied to the network also cover a broad spectrum of commercial activities. Prominent businesses include Abubakar Hamid International, Abubakar Zakari G. Enterprises, Al-Mustaqbal Enterprises, Amg Mining and Gems Store Limited, Anytime Money Enterprise, Bilkusu Jewelries General Enterprises, Dan Sambo Enterprises Nigeria Limited, Dafu Investment and Development Nigeria Limited, Golden Mushaj International, and Zeecall Communications Limited, among many others.

The network’s financial operations were traced through 1,801 bank accounts across 18 financial institutions, including Access Bank, Citibank, Diamond Bank, Eco Bank, FCMB, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, GTBank, Heritage Bank, Jaiz Bank, KeyStone Bank, Polaris Bank, Rand Merchant Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Sterling Bank, UBA, Union Bank, and Zenith Bank.

This account analysis allowed investigators to link individuals, companies, and the movement of funds that supported terrorist activities.

International Links and Affiliates

The NFIU’s findings reveal that the network extends beyond Nigeria’s borders.

Eighteen foreign individuals were identified as sponsors, financiers, or facilitators, with connections to countries including Rwanda, Niger, Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, India, Cameroon, Benin Republic, and Uganda.

Among the companies associated with these international actors are Nabil Mass Business Company in the UAE, Nury Salihu General Trading Company in the UAE, Kofar Ruwa Company in the UAE, Alfa Exchange, Desert Exchange, Eagle Square General Trading LLC in the UAE, and Vinayak Pharma Chem Equipment in India.

Connections to Kidnappers and Bandits

The report also established links between Boko Haram’s financing networks and known kidnappers and bandits. Identified individuals include Samaila Ibrahim, Ibrahim Ummaru, Aliyu Abubakar Umar, Bello Imran, Dadaki Sada Musa, Samaila Hamisu, Umar Sani, Ramada Soja, Yahaya Galadima, Garba Mohammed Gongola, Shiban Tikari, Adamu Barkindo, Ado Aliero, Dogo Gide, Babuga alias Mebuta Kmgt, Buhari Janar, and Alias Yelo Babuga.

Informants and law enforcement collaborators, including Ashiru Salisu, Hamisu Lawan Abubakar, Aliyu Muhammed, Musa Gobara, Adamu Bala, Alias Hamisu Mopol, Sule Nasiru Ringim, and Tijani Hussaini Dibal, were also noted, reflecting the complex interplay between criminal and terrorist activities.

Geographical Spread of Activities

The network operates across key Nigerian cities, with concentrated activity in Kano, and additional presence in Abuja, Lagos, Ilorin, Zaria, Maiduguri, Gusau, Sokoto, and Niger State.

Internationally, affiliates were identified in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, India, Rwanda, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Niger, and Uganda.

The NFIU report underscores the strategic role of financial intelligence in dismantling terrorist networks. By identifying individuals, companies, financial institutions, and international affiliates involved in supporting Boko Haram, the report provides a critical roadmap for law enforcement and intelligence agencies to disrupt the funding mechanisms that sustain terrorist operations.