Crime
EFCC Identifies Financial Crimes as Major Drivers of Violent Non-State Activities In The County
EFCC Identifies Financial Crimes as Major Drivers of Violent Non-State Activities In The County
EFCC identifies financial crimes as major drivers of violent non-state activities in the county. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has identified financial crimes, governance gaps and weak accountability structures as key enablers of the operations of violent non-state actors in Nigeria, with grave implications for national security and economic development.
The Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, stated this on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in a lecture to members of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 18 of the Institute National Institute of Security Studies, Abuja. In his paper titled “Violent Non-State Actors in Security Management: Issues, Challenges and Prospects for Peace and Development in Africa: EFCC Perspective”, Olukoyede warned that violent non-state actors ranging from insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and separatist agitators to cybercriminals pose a significant threat to Nigeria’s territorial integrity, political stability, economic prosperity, and social cohesion.
The EFCC boss who spoke through the Director of Public Affairs, Commander of the EFCC, CE Wilson Uwujaren, lamented that the activities of these groups have not only led to mass killings and destruction of public infrastructure, but also triggered massive economic losses, rising food inflation and displacement of rural communities.
According to him, “To say that the activities of violent non-state actors have disrupted the rhythm of our national security strategy and undermined the nation’s economic equilibrium, political and social order, is to state the obvious.”
The anti-graft czar noted that while the kinetic response by the military and other security agencies remains central to the counter-terrorism strategy, the non-kinetic aspects, particularly financial surveillance and regulation, are crucial in choking the funding lifelines of violent actors.
He pointed to EFCC’s interventions through the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML, regulation of non-governmental organisations operating in conflict zones, and monitoring of financial transactions in both traditional and emerging payment channels, including virtual currencies.
“The Commission equally strengthened surveillance and monitoring of transactions in designated non-financial sectors especially trading in foreign currencies through the bureau de change, and the sudden popularity of virtual assets especially crypto currencies as outlets for international transactions with the guarantee of anonymity which suits the terror groups”, he said.
Olukoyede also cited successful investigations and prosecutions of military officers implicated in the misappropriation of funds meant for counter-insurgency operations as part of the Commission’s contribution to transparency and accountability in the sector.
He stressed that terror organisations’ sustained operations for over a decade point to deep financial networks and international linkages, with the proliferation of small arms and light weapons also having strong ties to money laundering and illicit financial flows.
“Some of the terror organisations in Nigeria have survived for more than ten years, which is evidence that they have managed to establish a steady stream of funding outside of the Nigerian financial system,” he said.
The EFCC Chairman identified challenges facing the Commission in its task, including poor inter-agency collaboration, widespread cash-based transactions, gaps in telecoms regulation, and weak compliance with Know Your Customer, KYC requirements by financial institutions and fintech operators.
Despite these challenges, Olukoyede expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome the menace of violent non-state actors through collective national resolve, inter-agency synergy, and improved governance.
EFCC Identifies Financial Crimes
In his closing remarks, the Director of Studies at the National Institute of Security Studies, Mr. Hyginus Ngele, thanked the EFCC Chairman for the depth of insight shared, expressing the hope that the Chairman would continue to honour future invitations to engage with security professionals.
He urged the course participants to internalise the lessons from the lecture and distinguish themselves positively when the mantle of leadership falls upon them.
The lecture was part of a series of engagements designed to prepare participants for strategic roles in national security and intelligence management.
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.
EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspects, Trucks for Suspected Illegal Mining Activities in Kwara
Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested ten individuals suspected of involvement in illegal mining activities along the Ilorin – Ogbomosho axis.
They were arrested on Sunday, February 1, 2026, following credible intelligence on unlawful mineral excavation and transportation in parts of Kwara and Oyo States.
The suspects, comprising nine truck drivers and one escort were intercepted and taken into custody in a well -coordinated sting operation. Solid minerals arrested with the suspects include lithium, tin, and lepidolite.
EFCC Arrests 10 Suspects
The suspects have no requisite licences, permits, or regulatory approvals for their mining activities.
Other items recovered from the suspects are trucks loaded with the unlawfully mined materials.
The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
List Of 40 Suspects Detained Over Alleged Plot To Overthrow Tinubu Government
List of 40 suspects detained over alleged plot to overthrow Tinubu Government. Nigerian security agencies have concluded investigations into an alleged coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with at least 40 suspects detained in connection with the conspiracy.
The suspects include senior military officers, a police officer, and several civilians accused of roles ranging from reconnaissance and funding to propaganda.
According to a Premium Times report, the arrests followed a covert intelligence operation coordinated by the Army Headquarters and the State Security Service (SSS).
“Thirteen people were apprehended by the SSS, including two military personnel (one retired), one policeman, and ten civilians,” one source said.
In total, 16 serving military officers were detained for direct involvement, while others were linked to funding and incitement. Two civilians were reportedly recruited to incite civil unrest intended to justify the coup.
According to the online newspaper, one of the detained soldiers was said to have escaped custody but was later rearrested by SSS operatives in Bauchi State, according to insider accounts.
Recall that on Monday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that the investigation had been completed and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
“Findings identified several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” the military said, describing the act as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Sources said authorities are now awaiting presidential approval to constitute a court-martial panel to try the indicted soldiers.
Investigations revealed that the coupists initially planned to disrupt the May 29, 2023 handover ceremony from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Tinubu, but the plan was shelved due to lack of funds and logistics.
The conspiracy was allegedly reactivated in 2025, after former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva purportedly transferred nearly ₦1 billion through multiple Bureau De Change accounts to fund the operation.
Sylva and a retired senior officer identified as Major General Adamu, both accused of bankrolling the plot, are reportedly at large.
Security sources said one of the fugitive suspects has been tracked to a South American country, though his precise location remained undisclosed for security reasons.
Investigators also uncovered a chilling plan to assassinate top government officials, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
“They were waiting for a day when all of them would be in the country. Wherever they were, they would be assassinated,” one source revealed.
The plot allegedly relied on informants inside the Presidential Villa, who monitored the movements of top officials. The conspirators were to seize control of strategic locations such as the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, Armed Forces Complex, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Military
Hereunder is the full list of the alleged coupists arrested
MA Sadiq (Brigadier General) Army lHeadquarters Garrison
MA Ma’aji (Colonel) Defence Space Administration
S Bappah (Lt. Colonel) 525 Signal Regiment
AA Hayatu (Lt Colonel) 130 Battalion Main, Ogoja, Cross River State
P Dangnap (Lt Colonel) 134 Special Force Battalion
M Almakura (Lt Colonel) 197 Special Force Battalion
AA Jarma (Lt Colonel) CO, 35 Battalion Katsina
SM Gana (Lt Colonel) 115 Task Force Battalion
AD Dauda (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
JM GANAKS (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
AJ Ibrahim (Maj) Army Headquarters’ Department of Policy and Plans
MM Jiddah (Maj) 26 Battalion
MA Usman (Maj) 35 Battalion
D Yusuf (Maj) Forward Operating Base Molai (AHQ SG)
J Iliyasu (Maj) 3 Division Garrison
A Mohammed (Maj) 63 Brigade Garrison
DB Abdullahi (Lt Cdr) Naval Base Abuja
SB Adamu (Sqn Ldr) National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC)
NG Zuzu (Sqn Ldr) Headquarters, Nigeria Air Force Camp
G Binuga (Captain) 1 NMF Brigade
AA Yusuf (Captain) Nigerian Army of the School of Finance and Administration (NASFA)
1 Bello (Captain) 82 Division Garrison
SS Felix (Lt) 81 Division Provost Group
J Aminu (Lt) Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR)
Nasiru Ibrahim (WO) 82 Division Garrison
Sanda Usman (Sgt) 167 Special Force Battalion
Mohammed Zubairu (Sgt) 177 Guards Battalion
Momoh Audu (Cpl) 343 Artillery Regiment
Ahmed Ibrahim (Inspector) 24 Police Mobile Force, Presidential Villa
EO Victor (Navy Capt/Rtd) 3 Abraham Avenue off Odili Road, Port Harcourt
Umoru Zekeri Julius Berger, Villa Electrician
Y Nasiru (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
Sambo Danladi (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
Abdul Abdullahi (SSgt) 82 Division Garrison
Ali Isah Villa Ambulance Driver
ML Mohammed (Capt) 18 Battalion
UI Yusuf (Wg Cdr) International/Helicopter Flying School, Enugu
IM Gana (Maj Gen Rtd) No 34 A Army Estate, Kubwa, Abuja
Stanley Kingley Amandi Propagandist
Goni Bukar
Security sources confirmed that joint operations involving multiple agencies are underway to dismantle remaining cells and track fleeing suspects. The EFCC and SSS are also interrogating several civilians over alleged roles in funding, logistics, and coordination.
At least 25 military personnel are expected to face trial in connection with the plot, according to sources close to the investigation.
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