BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) /Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) has revealed that unguarded borders comprising multiple legal and illegal entry points bolstered terrorism financing in the country.
This formed part of the discuss at the end of a 2-day sensitisation workshop for the civil society organisations, community leaders and faith-based organisations on the: "Major Drivers and Enablers of Terrorism Financing and Prevention of Violent Extremism in the North East."
It was organised by CISLAC/TI-Nigeria between May 29 to 30 in Gombe State, for civil society organisations, community leaders and faith-based organisations, and financed by Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
News Rider reports that the former Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor had in 2022 revealed that Nigeria has over 137 out of about 261 borders in the Northeast and Northwest regions that are unguarded.
The borders are sited in States of Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina, within neigbouring countries of Niger Republic and Chad, that translated to hotspot for criminality and violent crimes.
Targetted at sensitising non-state actors on the major drivers and enablers of terrorism financing, and prevention of violent extremism, the workshop elicited holistic commitments on preventive measures.
The executive director lamented that the delayed Presidential assent into legislative framework establishing the Local Government Autonomy was responsible for continuous socio-economic deprivation that exacerbated terrorism.
Musa described the delay as a major impediment to sustainable development at the grassroot level, adding that the emergence of North East Development Commission (NEDC) assisted in bridging the identified socio-economic and development gaps.
He listed threat signals associated with violent extremism in the Northeast as idealisation, radicalisation, recruitment and propaganda, alienation and marginalisation, increased violence and intolerance, and weaponisation.
The workshop was attended by over 50 participants drawn from anti-corruption agencies, security agencies, defence institution, community security volunteer, traditional institutions, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, women-led organisations, persons with disabilities, civil society and the media.
Musa disclosed that conflicts at community levels enabled the infiltration of extremist ideologies and violent extremism that promoted insecurity and instability.
He identified the sources of funding for terrorism as extortion, begging, smuggling, robbery, human trafficking, protection fees, cattle rustling, organ trafficking, kidnapping for ransom and tax collection, seized property, gold trading and transportation business.
Musa disclosed that inadequate regulation in formal banking system paved the way for money laundering and illicit financing of terrorism, as well as corruption and bad governance.
He informed that lack of exposure and moral decay at community levels strengthened corruption, questionable wealth acqusition, terrorism and violent extremism.
The communique was endorsed by the executive director of CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa; Gombe State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Muhammed Bello Muazu; District Head of Kolmani, Pindiga Emirate Gombe State, Muhammad Magaji Ibrahim; Jegan of Taraba State, Chief Tenong Danladi Hakimin, among others.
The participants suggested that comprehensive awareness campaigns at community levels by persistently engaging the locals would reduce violent extremism and terrorism financing.
They recommended that the protection of whistle-blowers and data secrecy would enhance surveillance against threats and protect the community from reprisal.
Musa harped on the need to regulate estate agents and realtors practising in the Northeast, likewise documentation of potential occupants in order to discourage infiltration of unscrupulous persons.
The communique sought for adequate remuneration, training and retraining programmes for defence and security personnel to boost morale, improve efficiency, prevent systemic corruption and promote compliance with ethical standards.
Also, formation of a comprehensive community de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and re-integration programme by relevant actors, as well as psycho-social support to properly re-integrate repentant persons and survivors of terrorism and violent extremism at all levels.
"Continuous community sensitisation against unscrupulous financial transactions by violent extremists who leverage private bank accounts of innocent members of the community for illicit activities.
"Mandatory request for comprehensive and verifiable means of identification, likewise adequate background checking of individuals seeking accommodation across communities, to discourage migration and infiltration of violent extremists, "the communique added.
Comments
Post a Comment