The Inter-governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) has promised to prioritise capacity building on counter-terrorism to curb terrorism financing and related crimes in West Africa.
The Director-General of GIABA, Mr Edwin Harris Jr. made the promise at the inaugural ceremony of two-weeks Training-of-Trainers (ToT) on Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT).
The ToT was organised by GIABA at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) for its Anglophone member states on Monday in Abuja.
Harris, who expressed concern over money laundering and the financing of terrorism, said it had impacted the socio-economic development, peace, and security of GIABA member States and beyond negatively.
According to him, the strategic objective of ToT is to address capacity gaps and build national coherence in the articulation of countries’ responses to terrorism and terrorist financing.
Harris said, “Counter-terrorism can no longer be the exclusive domain of military services.
“GIABA and Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) studies revealed terrorists are increasingly using legitimate commercial enterprises to raise funds, and non-profit organisations (NPOs).
“This includes abusive exploitation of extractive and mining resources, donations, crowd funding, and proceeds of criminal activities such as kidnapping for ransom, extortion, illicit-drug trafficking, illicit-trade in small arms and light weapons, trafficking in arts and antics.”
Harris said that terrorists have managed to move these collected funds through front companies, money or value couriers and using payment methods such as prepaid cards, mobile banking, or virtual assets.
He said it was important to optimise the technical assistance provided to GIABA member States by making knowledge, capacities, and expertise available locally.
According to him, ToT projects have been specifically designed to meet the needs of member countries by ensuring resources are distributed in a more effective, efficient, and coordinated manner.
Speaking, Mr Yusuf Bichi, Director-General of Department of State Security (DSS) services, represented by Mrs Bolatito Sure-Olufe, Director of Training and Staff Development of DSS, said it was imperative for stakeholders to confront terrorism financing collectively.
Bichi said the scourge of terrorism continued to pose grave threat to security, stability, development of our sub-region and the world.
“While military and intelligence efforts have achieved notable successes in disrupting terrorist operations, it is imperative terrorist financing networks are disrupted.
“CFT demands international cooperation and collaboration, thus ToT workshop represents crucial step in enhancing collective capacity to identify, trace, and disrupt illicit financial flows that sustain terrorist organisations.
“By strengthening ability to follow the money trail, we can deprive these groups of the resources they need to carry out their heinous acts, ultimately contributing to a more secure and peaceful world for all,” he said.
Amb. Musa Nuhu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS said the training would enable participants become trainers themselves, thereby spreading knowledge and best practices on CFT across the sub-region.
He said the knowledge gained would benefit respective countries and contribute to combating terrorism financing within the ECOWAS Commission’s unwavering commitment to strengthening collective security architecture.
Mrs Hafsa Bakari, Director/CEO, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and National Correspondent, GIABA urged the participants to be more committed to the responsibility placed on them.
Bakari said, “This is to ensure knowledge, skills and expertise acquired reached far and wide across all the institutions that will help us reach decisive victory over the forces that seek to spread divisive and dangerous ideologies.”
The Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, represented by Adam Ahmed, the Provost of the College’s Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, underscored the need for commitment to learning and sharing knowledge to CTF.
Olotu said the efforts of CTF were not just about seizing assets or disrupting financial flows but safeguarding human dignity, promoting peace, and upholding the values of justice and solidarity.
