Oyo Moves To Block Terror Financing Through Humanitarian Channels
The Oyo State Government has called for stronger measures to prevent criminal networks from exploiting humanitarian funding channels and other financial platforms to finance terrorism and other illicit activities.
Acting Governor Bayo Lawal made the call on Tuesday at a capacity-building workshop on awareness, intelligence gathering and institutional responses to emerging threats linked to illicit financial flows, held at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, Lawal said the state had strengthened its collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to identify and prevent the misuse of financial channels for criminal purposes.
He said the changing security situation in the South-West, including recent kidnapping incidents, required stakeholders to pay greater attention to unconventional methods being adopted by criminal networks to raise and transfer funds.
According to him, crowdfunding platforms, humanitarian interventions, non-governmental organisations and informal financial systems could be exploited to conceal illicit financial activities.
“While humanitarian assistance remains critical to supporting vulnerable communities, there is a need for improved regulatory frameworks, proper documentation, and effective monitoring,” Lawal said.
He urged ministries, departments and agencies to establish dedicated desks for intelligence sharing, monitoring suspicious transactions and responding quickly to emerging security threats.
Lawal also stressed the need for stronger financial intelligence and coordination among government agencies, urging participants to deepen their understanding of terrorism-financing trends and develop proactive measures for early detection.
The workshop brought together government officials and experts to discuss ways of strengthening institutional capacity, countering illicit financial flows and protecting legitimate humanitarian interventions from abuse.
Among those present were Commissioners for Energy, Prof. Dahud Shangodoyin; Investment, Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Prof. Solihu Adelabu; Works and Transport, Arch. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola; as well as permanent secretaries, directors and other senior government officials.
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