By Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)-led inter-agency technical team has commenced a three-day assessment of terrorism financing risks within the non-profit sector in Sokoto State.
The exercise is part of the National Terrorism Financing Risk Assessment of the Non-Profit Sector in Nigeria, being conducted across the country’s six geopolitical zones to identify vulnerabilities and develop measures to prevent the misuse of non-profit organisations for illicit financial activities.
The team, led by Erinomo Temitope, commenced its engagement in Sokoto with a courtesy visit to the state government.
Receiving the delegation at the Government House, Sokoto, Governor Ahmed Aliyu assured the team of the state government’s full cooperation and support throughout the assessment.
Governor Aliyu said the exercise was important because non-profit organisations play a significant role in supporting vulnerable groups and complementing government efforts in the delivery of social services.
He urged relevant non-profit organisations and other stakeholders in the state to cooperate fully with the technical team by providing access to relevant institutions and information required for the assessment.
The governor said the outcome of the exercise would help strengthen transparency, accountability, integrity and good governance in the state.
He also expressed confidence that the recommendations arising from the assessment would support both state and national efforts to prevent the exploitation of non-profit organisations for terrorism financing.
EFCC: Terrorists Evolving Financing Methods
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Temitope thanked the governor for the warm reception and the cooperation extended to the team since its arrival in Sokoto.
He explained that the committee was constituted by the EFCC Executive Chairman to assess terrorism financing risks associated with the non-profit sector and recommend appropriate measures to mitigate identified threats.
Temitope said terrorists and their financiers were continually evolving their methods and increasingly seeking to exploit non-profit and civil society organisations to facilitate their activities.
According to him, the assessment would involve engagements with government agencies, non-profit organisations and other relevant stakeholders over the three-day period.
He said the team would use the engagements to gather feedback, identify existing challenges and sensitise stakeholders on measures required to strengthen the sector against terrorism financing.
Assessment to Strengthen Non-Profit Sector
Temitope noted that Nigeria was not alone in the global effort to combat terrorism financing, adding that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) provides international guidance and standards for countering terrorism financing.
He stressed that identifying existing vulnerabilities, developing effective mitigation strategies and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders were essential to preventing terrorism financing while protecting legitimate humanitarian and development activities carried out by non-profit organisations.
The Sokoto assessment is expected to contribute to the broader national risk assessment and provide relevant authorities with a clearer understanding of vulnerabilities within the non-profit sector, as well as measures needed to address them.
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