Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nigeria has called on the African Union (AU) to intensify efforts to disrupt illicit financial flows that continue to fuel terrorism and violent extremism across the continent, warning that extremist groups remain active largely because of access to illegal sources of funding.
The appeal was made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during the 1354th Ministerial Meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council, which was held virtually to discuss strategies for tackling terrorism and strengthening peace and security across Africa.
Addressing representatives of AU member states, Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that defeating terrorism requires more than military operations. She said African countries must also target the financial networks that enable terrorist organisations to recruit fighters, acquire weapons, finance attacks and sustain their activities.
According to the minister, illicit financial flows have become a major source of support for terrorist groups operating in different parts of Africa. She noted that proceeds from organised crime, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, arms trafficking, drug trafficking and other transnational criminal activities continue to strengthen violent extremist groups.
She urged African governments to enhance financial intelligence systems, improve cross-border cooperation and strengthen information sharing to identify and dismantle the networks responsible for financing terrorism. She also called for greater collaboration among governments, financial institutions, regional organisations and international partners to prevent criminal groups from exploiting weak financial systems.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, stressing that the country remains determined to work with the African Union and other regional bodies to promote lasting peace and stability across the continent.
She observed that the growing threat posed by terrorist groups has not only resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement but has also contributed to political instability in several African countries. According to her, the security crisis has disrupted economic activities, undermined development efforts and weakened democratic institutions in affected regions.
The minister called on African leaders to fully implement decisions reached at previous continental meetings on counter-terrorism, including commitments aimed at strengthening intelligence sharing, improving security cooperation and addressing the root causes of violent extremism.
She also emphasised the need to strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks to combat money laundering and other financial crimes linked to terrorism, arguing that cutting off access to funding would significantly weaken the operational capacity of extremist organisations.
Participants at the meeting discussed ways of improving regional cooperation in addressing terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime, recognising that many security threats now extend across national borders and require coordinated responses.
Nigeria has consistently advocated stronger regional collaboration in combating terrorism, maintaining that no single country can effectively confront the challenge alone. The Federal Government has repeatedly argued that dismantling the financial and logistical networks supporting terrorist groups is essential to achieving lasting peace, protecting civilians and promoting sustainable development across Africa.
The latest call by Nigeria reinforces the country's position that tackling illicit financial flows should remain a central pillar of Africa's counter-terrorism strategy, alongside strengthened security operations, intelligence sharing and international cooperation.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments