Banwo Seeks DSS, EFCC Probe of Nigerians Named in U.S. Terror Financing Sanctions
The founder of Naija Lives Matter (NLM), Dr. Ope Banwo, has called on Nigeria’s security, intelligence and anti-corruption agencies to immediately investigate individuals and businesses recently sanctioned by the United States over alleged terrorism financing, insisting that the Federal Government must treat the matter as a serious national security concern.
Banwo specifically urged agencies including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Nigeria Police Force and military intelligence authorities to launch a coordinated probe into the allegations, arguing that the disclosures by the United States present an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its commitment to combating terrorism and its funding networks.
His call follows a recent announcement by the United States Department of the Treasury, which sanctioned a Nigerian, Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, and three Nigerian Bureau De Change companies over alleged involvement in financial transactions linked to ISIS-West Africa (ISWAP).
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The sanctions were part of a broader international effort aimed at disrupting financial networks allegedly connected to terrorist organisations operating across Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Reacting to the development, Banwo described the action taken by U.S. authorities as a significant intelligence breakthrough that should not be ignored by Nigerian authorities.
According to him, the spotlight now shifts to the Nigerian Government and the relevant institutions responsible for national security, financial intelligence and law enforcement.
“The United States has done its part,” Banwo said in a statement.
“They have identified individuals and entities they believe are connected to terrorist financing. They have imposed sanctions. They have blocked access to U.S. assets and financial systems and alerted the global financial community to the alleged activities of those involved.
“The question now is simple: What is the Nigerian Government going to do about it?”
Banwo argued that the sanctions should not be viewed merely as an international development or another news cycle that will quickly fade from public attention.
Rather, he said, the allegations deserve urgent and comprehensive investigation because terrorism financing remains one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s security and stability.
He noted that for years, successive governments have invested enormous resources in fighting insurgency, terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes, yet the issue of those allegedly funding such activities often receives less attention than those carrying out attacks.
According to him, defeating terrorism requires more than confronting armed groups on the battlefield.
“It also requires identifying and dismantling the financial networks that sustain them,” he said.
Banwo stressed that while terrorists who carry out attacks pose an obvious danger, those who allegedly provide financial support can be equally dangerous because they make such operations possible.
He explained that terrorist organisations require funding to recruit members, purchase weapons, move personnel, gather intelligence, acquire logistics support and sustain their operations.
Without financial backing, he argued, extremist groups would struggle to function effectively.
“Terrorism does not survive on ideology alone. Terrorism survives on money,” Banwo stated.
“Every bomb, every kidnapping, every ambush, every attack on soldiers, every village burned, every church or mosque attacked and every innocent Nigerian murdered requires financing.
“The people pulling the trigger are dangerous, but those allegedly financing them can be just as dangerous because they provide the resources that keep these operations alive.”
The activist maintained that every serious country treats terrorist financing as a national security threat equal to terrorism itself.
He pointed to the actions of the United States as an example of how governments respond when intelligence agencies identify individuals or entities suspected of supporting terrorism through financial transactions.
According to him, the sanctions demonstrate that international authorities are paying close attention to financial networks believed to be linked to extremist organisations.
Banwo said the development presents an opportunity for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to show that its commitment to security extends beyond rhetoric.
He argued that Nigerians want to see practical action and accountability whenever credible allegations relating to national security emerge.
“This is a moment for leadership,” he said.
“The Tinubu administration has repeatedly stated that security remains a priority. Here is an opportunity to demonstrate that commitment in a visible and meaningful way.”
Banwo called for what he described as a coordinated multi-agency response involving all relevant institutions.
According to him, agencies such as the DSS, EFCC, NFIU, the police and military intelligence units possess the expertise and legal authority required to investigate complex financial crimes and potential links to terrorism.
He urged the agencies to work together rather than operate in isolation.
Such cooperation, he argued, would ensure that all aspects of the allegations are thoroughly examined and that any findings are supported by credible evidence.
The NLM founder also raised a series of questions regarding the government’s response since the sanctions were announced.
He asked whether criminal investigations had been opened and whether any agencies had begun examining the allegations.
He also questioned whether the businesses identified in the sanctions had been subjected to scrutiny and whether their financial activities were being reviewed.
Among other issues, Banwo asked:
“Have the identified businesses been searched?
“Have their bank accounts been frozen pending investigation?
“Have the directors and beneficial owners been questioned?
“Have their financial records been examined?
“Have their communications and transaction histories been reviewed?”
According to him, Nigerians deserve to know whether concrete action is being taken.
He warned that public confidence could be undermined if serious allegations relating to terrorism financing are met with silence or apparent indifference.
For Banwo, transparency is essential not only for accountability but also for maintaining trust in the institutions responsible for protecting the country.
He stressed that calling for an investigation should not be interpreted as an assumption of guilt.
Instead, he argued that a transparent process would protect both the public interest and the rights of those named in the sanctions.
“If the allegations are false, a transparent investigation can establish that,” he said.
“If the allegations are true, then the full weight of Nigerian law should come down on those responsible.”
The activist emphasized that due process must remain central to any investigation.
He noted that sanctions imposed by a foreign government do not automatically amount to a criminal conviction under Nigerian law.
However, he argued that the allegations are sufficiently serious to warrant scrutiny by Nigerian authorities.
According to him, the objective should be to establish the facts through lawful and professional investigations rather than speculation or public condemnation.
Banwo also expressed concern that Nigeria has, over the years, struggled to convince many citizens that those responsible for financing violent crimes are consistently held accountable.
He said public frustration often stems from a perception that individuals who allegedly provide financial support to criminal or terrorist networks operate in the shadows while ordinary citizens bear the consequences of insecurity.
The latest disclosures, he argued, offer an opportunity to address those concerns.
“For years, Nigerians have complained that terrorism sponsors operate in the shadows while ordinary citizens pay the price,” he said.
“Here is a chance to demonstrate that nobody is above the law.”
Banwo further argued that Nigeria cannot afford to treat international intelligence alerts lightly, especially when they relate to terrorism and national security.
He described the U.S. sanctions as a warning that should prompt immediate attention from policymakers and security institutions.
According to him, Nigeria has suffered immensely from terrorism and violent extremism over the years, making it imperative to investigate any allegations that could help disrupt funding channels.
He noted that communities across the country have experienced attacks, displacement and economic disruption as a result of insecurity.
Consequently, any opportunity to weaken the financial foundations of terrorist organisations should be taken seriously.
The activist also rejected the notion that sanctions alone are sufficient.
While acknowledging the significance of international actions, he argued that Nigerians are primarily interested in seeing justice administered within their own country.
“Nigerians are not merely interested in seeing alleged terror financiers lose access to American banks,” he said.
“They want to know whether those accused of helping finance terror against Nigerians will face Nigerian justice.”
Banwo maintained that the responsibility for answering that question now rests with the Federal Government.
He argued that the U.S. Treasury has already raised the alarm and provided information that should be examined by Nigerian authorities.
The next step, he said, belongs to the institutions empowered to investigate and prosecute crimes under Nigerian law.
According to him, failure to act could send the wrong signal at a time when public confidence in anti-terrorism efforts remains critically important.
He warned that the worst response would be silence or inaction.
“The worst possible response would be pretending that nothing happened,” Banwo said.
“The worst possible response would be allowing foreign governments to identify alleged terror financiers while Nigerian authorities do nothing visible to reassure citizens that the matter is being taken seriously.”
The call by Banwo comes amid continuing efforts by governments around the world to combat terrorism financing through sanctions, intelligence sharing and cross-border cooperation.
Experts have long argued that disrupting financial networks is one of the most effective ways of weakening extremist organisations.
By targeting funding sources, authorities can limit the ability of such groups to recruit members, acquire equipment and sustain operations.
The United States sanctions are understood to be part of those broader international efforts.
While the allegations against the sanctioned individuals and entities remain subject to investigation and due process, the disclosures have already generated discussion among security observers and members of the public.
For Banwo, however, the central issue is not the sanctions themselves but how Nigerian authorities respond.
He believes the moment presents an opportunity for the Tinubu administration to reinforce its stated commitment to security, accountability and the rule of law.
Whether through criminal investigations, financial audits, intelligence reviews or other lawful measures, he argued that Nigerians deserve to see a visible response.
As debate continues over the implications of the U.S. sanctions, Banwo insists that the country cannot afford to ignore the matter.
He believes the allegations raise questions that demand answers and that the agencies responsible for safeguarding national security must demonstrate that they are prepared to act whenever credible concerns emerge.
“The ball is now squarely in the Federal Government’s court,” he said.
“The United States has raised the alarm.
“Nigeria must now decide whether it will investigate, prosecute and, if necessary, convict those responsible under Nigerian law—or whether this too will become another file gathering dust while terrorists continue to find ways to finance their operations,” Banwo concluded.
