Founder of Naija Lives Matter (NLM), Dr. Ope Banwo, has urged the Federal Government to immediately investigate Nigerians and businesses sanctioned by the United States over alleged terrorism financing, insisting that Nigeria must act decisively on the matter.
Banwo’s call follows the recent announcement by the United States Department of the Treasury sanctioning a Nigerian, Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, and three Nigerian Bureau De Change companies over alleged involvement in financial transactions linked to ISIS-West Africa (ISWAP).
The sanctions formed part of a broader international effort aimed at disrupting financial networks allegedly supporting terrorist activities across Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Reacting to the development, Banwo described the U.S. action as a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism financing and said Nigerian authorities must not ignore the implications of the disclosures.
According to him, while the United States has taken steps to identify and sanction individuals and entities it believes may be linked to terrorist financing, it is now the responsibility of Nigerian institutions to determine whether criminal offences have been committed under Nigerian law.
“The United States has raised the alarm. Nigeria must now decide whether it will investigate, prosecute and, if necessary, convict those responsible under Nigerian law,” Banwo stated.
He argued that the sanctions should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian security and financial intelligence agencies, noting that allegations of terrorism financing deserve the highest level of scrutiny.
Banwo stressed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration must not ignore what he described as a major terror financing alert.
According to him, Nigerians expect more than international sanctions and would want to see visible actions from local authorities charged with protecting national security.
He called for a coordinated investigation involving the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Nigeria Police Force and military intelligence agencies.
The activist also questioned whether any investigations had commenced since the sanctions were announced.
He asked whether the identified businesses and individuals had been subjected to scrutiny, whether their financial records were being examined and whether relevant agencies had initiated any form of coordinated response.
Banwo maintained that terrorism cannot thrive without funding and warned that efforts to combat violent extremism would remain incomplete if authorities focus only on those carrying out attacks while ignoring those allegedly providing financial support.
He noted that every kidnapping, ambush, attack on security personnel and assault on civilian communities requires resources, arguing that cutting off funding channels is one of the most effective ways of weakening terrorist organisations.
The NLM founder further described the development as an opportunity for the Tinubu administration to demonstrate its commitment to tackling insecurity and enforcing accountability.
According to him, a transparent investigation would serve the interest of justice regardless of the eventual outcome.
“If the allegations are false, a transparent investigation can establish that. If the allegations are true, then the full weight of Nigerian law should come down on those responsible,” he said.
Banwo warned that silence could create the impression that allegations of terrorism financing are not being taken seriously.
As discussions continue over the U.S. sanctions, he said Nigerians deserve clarity on the government’s response and the steps being taken to address the allegations.
He concluded by posing a question that is likely to resonate across the country: What will President Tinubu do next?