FG to Unmask Terror Sponsors as Tinubu Moves to Cut Off Funding Networks

The Federal Government will soon publish the identities of terrorists and the individuals bankrolling them, as part of wide-ranging security measures aimed at dismantling the financial pipelines sustaining violent groups across the country.

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala disclosed this during a live interview on TVC on Sunday night, where he addressed Nigeria–US security collaboration, the recent spike in terror attacks, and steps being taken to curb the growing wave of insecurity.

Bwala said President Bola Tinubu has taken “far-reaching and tough decisions” designed to cripple the financial backbone that keeps terror groups alive.

According to him, “The lifeline of all terrorist activities is finances. When you cut the finances, terrorism dies naturally. Previous administrations knew the financiers but were either unwilling or unable to act. This President is not going to tolerate that.”

He explained that terrorism has evolved into a cross-border threat, confirming that the government is set to expose those funding extremism within Nigeria and beyond.
“In the coming days, Nigerians will know who the terrorists are and those funding them,” he said.

Bwala noted that terror groups operating in Nigeria often possess sophisticated rifles, surveillance drones, and military fatigues — clear indicators of well-established financing networks both locally and internationally.

Referencing the U.S. strategy used to defeat ISIS by blocking its global funding routes, he argued that Nigeria must apply a similar model to counter insurgency effectively.

As part of fresh counter-terrorism measures, the Federal Government has approved a large-scale recruitment drive across security agencies.

Bwala emphasized the need to secure Nigeria’s porous borders, saying terror groups moving from the Sahel depend heavily on unguarded routes for transporting arms, fighters, and illicit funds.

He added that recent attacks on schools, religious centres, and rural communities highlight the urgent need for a revised strategy.
According to him, terrorists increasingly target children and schools as soft targets, prompting the revival of the Safe Schools Initiative under the Ministry of Finance. Religious institutions have also been advised to improve internal vigilance.

Speaking on collaboration with the United States, Bwala said Nigeria is requesting intelligence-driven support — not foreign troops.
“If you bring foreign troops who don’t understand our terrain or asymmetric warfare, they will be killed like chickens,” he said.

Instead, Nigeria is seeking advanced drone systems, satellite imagery, technical surveillance tools, and strengthened community-based intelligence networks.

Bwala attributed the recent surge in terror attacks to two major factors: Attempts by foreign interests to justify military intervention in Nigeria and Political sabotage ahead of future elections designed to destabilize the government.

He added that criminal groups within local communities have exploited the situation, while propaganda machines — including AI-generated fake news and cloned voices — are being deployed to spread fear.

Despite these challenges, Bwala said international partners now understand Nigeria’s broader security strategy and are increasingly willing to support efforts aimed at disrupting terror financing, recruitment, and mobility across the country