Investigators Uncover Extensive Nigerian–International Network Funding Terrorism
A detailed investigation has uncovered a sprawling network of Nigerian and international actors suspected of financing and facilitating terrorism, with many individuals directly linked to Boko Haram operatives and convicted funders. SaharaReporters obtained exclusive documentation tracing the suspects’ financial activities, personal information, and associations, revealing significant cash movements, cross-border transfers, and connections repeatedly referenced in UAE terrorism-financing judgments.
Sources confirm that the 20 Nigerian suspects arrested in 2021 were later released under questionable circumstances, despite the magnitude of the evidence tracing billions of naira through their accounts.
Local Suspects Identified in the Network
1. Alhaji Saidu Ahmed
Known as Alh Saidu or Alhaji Saidu Gold, he is a Zaria-based businessman born on July 6, 1961. Authorities identify him as a major Boko Haram financier due to extensive links with convicted individuals. His bank accounts recorded inflows of ₦4.8 billion and frequent cash withdrawals, including transactions tied to convicts mentioned in UAE judgments.
2. Usaini Adamu
Born March 2, 1963, Adamu operates in Kano and is known as Baba Hussaini. With 111 BVN-linked accounts across nine banks, his inflows and outflows exceed ₦43 billion and ₦50 billion, respectively. Investigators describe him as a guarantor and facilitator for weapons procurement and logistics for terrorist cells.
3. Muhammad Sani Adam
Born March 28, 1978, he trades in forex and precious stones between Kano and Yola. His 41 accounts show inflows of ₦54.1 billion and outflows of ₦54.4 billion, much of it linked to convicted Boko Haram financiers. He is described as the closest associate of Alhaji Saidu.
4. Abubakar Adamu Yellow
Born October 18, 1968, he maintains 42 accounts across 13 banks. Between 2014 and 2019, he transferred tens of millions of naira to convicts and associates. His accounts recorded ₦61.4 billion in inflows and ₦51.7 billion in outflows, indicating sustained suspicious activity.
5. Murtala Abdullahi Jega
Born December 1, 1970, Jega is a Kano-based businessman and BDC operator with 94 accounts across nine banks. He received ₦60 million from a convicted financier and moved funds to companies reportedly used to purchase weapons. His records show extensive dealings with associates of convicted individuals.
6. Sadiq Garba Abubakar
Born May 10, 1980, he operates between Kano and Abuja. His 30 accounts across 13 banks recorded over ₦1.65 billion in transfers to known convicts between 2015 and 2017. Additional transfers to affiliated networks position him as a central figure in the financing chain.
7. Hussaini Adamu
Born May 2, 1974, he is linked to large financial exchanges involving convicted individuals. His role has been crucial in circulating funds across various cells within the network.
8. Mustapha Ibrahim Yakubu
Born December 12, 1966, he operates in Wuse and Kano. His 39 accounts show significant transfers—including ₦2 billion to Bahafs Global and ₦345 million to Jega—highlighting his role in logistics and arms procurement.
9. Ali Abdullahi Yusuf
Born September 9, 1982, he is the elder brother of two convicted Boko Haram financiers. His 43 accounts across 11 banks show direct transactions with convicts and more than 40 associates, placing him deep inside the network.
10. Nasiru Shuaibu
Born June 15, 1973, he operates between Gusau and Minna. His 17 accounts show major inflows from convicts, including ₦5.4 billion transferred from Muhammad Sani. Investigators label him a significant financial conduit.
11. Yusuf Ghazali
Born March 18, 1982, Ghazali operates 385 accounts across 10 banks. He is cited in UAE court rulings as a key facilitator moving funds from Dubai to Nigeria for terrorist purposes.
Additional Financiers in the Network
12. Mansur Muhammad Usman
Born April 22, 1981, he is repeatedly named in UAE terrorism-financing judgments. His 18 accounts were used to transfer millions for Boko Haram and recruit financial couriers.
13. Yazid Usman Muhammad
Born November 5, 1985, he operated five accounts and received funds from Mansur Usman. UAE court documents identify him as a money transfer agent linked to Boko Haram.
14. Alhaji Musa Emma
Born February 1, 1962, and based in Maiduguri, he maintains 15 accounts that recorded over ₦2.4 billion in cash withdrawals. His inflows came largely from convicts and their networks.
15. Modu Sulum
Born September 7, 1972, he operates a single account but maintains financial links to core suspects in Maiduguri, a key operational zone for Boko Haram.
16. Adamu Aliyu Kanoma
Born January 1, 1970, he holds 83 accounts across 11 banks. Between 2016 and 2020, he withdrew more than ₦10 billion and transacted with numerous associates of convicted financiers.
17. Habibu Muhammad Usama
Born June 7, 1978, he maintains 39 accounts with cash withdrawals exceeding ₦7 billion. He also received funds from convicts and transferred money to senior actors like Alhaji Saidu.
18. Nurudeen Gani Aliyu
Born December 31, 1967, he is a Sokoto-based businessman and BDC operator with 218 accounts. He moved large sums to companies reportedly used to source weapons.
19. Ladan Ibrahim
Born March 7, 1968, he is a public servant and chairman of the Sokoto Pilgrims Welfare Agency. His 47 accounts transferred funds to Nurudeen Gani Aliyu and associated entities, connecting public funds to suspected terrorist pipelines.
20. Sadiq Garba Abubakar
Already profiled above, investigators consider him a central financier due to repeated transactions with Boko Haram-linked individuals.
International Suspects Connected to the Network
1. Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa
Born March 1, 1940 in Rwanda and deceased in 2024, he maintained 70 accounts across 13 banks, with inflows of ₦67 billion and outflows of ₦34 billion. He received funds from Nigerian actors and facilitated offshore transfers tied to terrorist networks.
2. Paul Nkwaya
Born August 7, 1967, he co-owned Leaf Tobacco & Commodities with his late father, Ayabatwa. He shares the same 70 BVN-linked accounts and engaged in transfers connected to convicts and arms procurement circuits.
3. Aboubacar Hima
Born March 18, 1973 in Niger, he is an arms dealer operating from Abuja. His 35 accounts facilitated over $1.19 million in transfers from the UAE to associates of convicted financiers. He is already under investigation for money laundering, fraud, and arms-related offences.
A Coordinated Network Spanning Borders
The network identified in this investigation extends across Nigeria, Niger, Rwanda, and the UAE. Financial trails, repeated references in foreign court judgments, and the scale of transactions indicate a highly coordinated system built to sustain terrorist operations. Investigators argue that the complexity of the network warrants continued surveillance, prosecution, and deeper inquiry into why many of the suspects were released despite extensive evidence.
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