The Federal Government has released a list of 48 individuals and groups it says are involved in financing terrorism in Nigeria, through the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC). This comes shortly after the Attorney General of the Federation concluded the ninth phase of mass trials involving over 500 Boko Haram-linked suspects, resulting in hundreds of convictions.
According to the government, the convicted persons were tried in Abuja Federal High Court sessions handled by multiple judges, with sentences ranging from imprisonment to rehabilitation and deradicalisation orders. Officials say the outcomes are meant to send a strong warning that terrorism and its support network will not be tolerated in the country.
The newly released sanctions list includes already-proscribed groups such as IPOB, ISWAP, and Ansaru, as well as individuals like Simon Ekpa, who was convicted in Finland over terrorism-related activities linked to separatist violence in Nigeria. Also listed is Tukur Mamu, who is currently facing trial over allegations of negotiating and receiving ransom payments connected to terrorist groups.
Other names on the list include a mix of alleged financiers and facilitators across different regions, with authorities indicating that further legal actions, including asset freezes and possible extradition proceedings, may follow for some individuals currently outside Nigeria.