Terrorist groups operating in Nigeria are increasingly turning to social media and international money transfer platforms to raise and move funds, security analyst and lawyer Dr Bulama Bukarti has warned.
Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, Bukarti said the methods used to finance terrorism were becoming more sophisticated, making it possible for unsuspecting people to unknowingly support criminal networks.
He said findings referenced in a Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) report showed that individuals based outside Nigeria had allegedly used platforms such as Telegram and Instagram to solicit money under the guise of humanitarian or educational causes.
According to Bukarti, some of the donations range from $50 to $500, with the funds reportedly pooled into larger accounts before being divided into smaller amounts and sent to recipients in Nigeria through international remittance services.
He said the approach was designed to make it more difficult for financial authorities to track the movement of funds.
Nigerians Urged to Verify Online Appeals
Bukarti advised Nigerians to carry out proper checks before sending money to online fundraisers, while stressing that his warning should not discourage legitimate humanitarian or educational support.
“It is a call for us to do our due diligence, know the person you are donating to and make sure you trust them.”
He also called for stronger coordination between financial and telecommunications authorities, particularly in linking Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) with SIM cards.
Bukarti argued that better verification could help prevent accounts belonging to deceased individuals or those controlled by third parties from being exploited to move funds for terrorist activities.
“The only way to defeat terrorism is to follow the money.”
Analyst Calls for Stronger Regional Security
Beyond financial tracking, Bukarti called for greater cooperation between Nigeria, Niger and Benin to address emerging terrorist routes and strengthen regional security.
He argued that cutting off terrorists’ access to funding should remain a major part of Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy.
Bukarti also spoke against jungle justice, describing mob attacks and killings as injustice rather than a form of justice.
He said failures by security or law-enforcement agencies should not be used as justification for mob action, urging authorities to investigate criminal allegations and prosecute suspects through the proper legal process.
The analyst maintained that Nigeria needs stronger security coordination and financial intelligence efforts to disrupt terrorist networks before they can expand their operations.
Source: Channels Television / Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
