Nigeria has urged the African Union (AU) to intensify efforts to cut off the illicit financial networks fuelling terrorism and violent extremism, warning that terrorist groups continue to exploit illegal funding to recruit fighters, acquire sophisticated weapons and carry out deadly attacks across the continent. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made […]
Nigeria has urged the African Union (AU) to intensify efforts to cut off the illicit financial networks fuelling terrorism and violent extremism, warning that terrorist groups continue to exploit illegal funding to recruit fighters, acquire sophisticated weapons and carry out deadly attacks across the continent.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the call during a virtual ministerial meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council, where she stressed that disrupting terrorist financing is essential to defeating extremist groups and restoring lasting peace in Africa.
According to the minister, the steady flow of illicit funds remains one of the biggest obstacles to the continent’s counter-terrorism efforts, allowing armed groups to sustain their operations, expand their influence and target vulnerable communities. She warned that unless these financial lifelines are dismantled, military victories alone may not be enough to end the threat of terrorism.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for stronger collaboration among African countries and international partners to identify, freeze and recover illicit funds linked to terrorist organisations. She also urged governments to tighten measures preventing extremist groups from acquiring arms, drones and other advanced technologies capable of increasing the scale and sophistication of their attacks.
The minister further cautioned against portraying Africa as the global centre of terrorism, saying such narratives unfairly stigmatise the continent and expose innocent Africans to discrimination and prejudice abroad. She argued that while terrorism remains a serious challenge, African nations are making significant efforts to confront the threat through coordinated regional and international action.
Highlighting Nigeria’s approach to tackling insecurity, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the country has adopted a comprehensive strategy that combines military operations with non-kinetic measures such as deradicalisation programmes, rehabilitation of former extremists, youth empowerment, education and stronger regional cooperation.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with neighbouring countries and the African Union to improve intelligence sharing, dismantle terrorist financing networks and strengthen collective efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism across the continent.