Security analyst and lawyer Bulama Bukarti has raised the alarm over what he described as the growing use of social media and international remittance platforms by terrorist groups. These groups use the platforms to raise and move money into Nigeria, highlighting new patterns in terrorism financing Nigeria faces today.
According to Vanguard, Bukarti spoke on Channels Television. He warned that terrorism financing has become increasingly sophisticated and could involve unsuspecting Nigerians at home and abroad, pointing to the broader challenge of terrorism financing Nigeria is currently experiencing.
Social media used for fundraising
Bukarti said findings by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit showed that some individuals outside Nigeria use platforms including Telegram and Instagram to solicit donations, a method that amplifies the risks of terrorism financing Nigeria is struggling to contain.
The appeals, he said, are sometimes presented as requests for humanitarian or educational assistance.
Funds collected in relatively small amounts are allegedly gathered into larger accounts. Then, those funds are broken down and transferred to recipients in Nigeria. In summary, these practices report directly to ongoing terrorism financing Nigeria authorities are working to combat.
Bukarti warned that the method could make it difficult for financial institutions and security agencies to detect suspicious transactions quickly.
Calls for tighter financial checks
The security analyst urged Nigerians to conduct proper checks before donating money to people or causes promoted online.
He stressed that the warning should not discourage genuine humanitarian giving. Instead, it should encourage people to verify who is receiving their money.
Bukarti also called for stronger cooperation between financial regulators and telecommunications authorities. In particular, he suggested linking verified bank identities with registered SIM cards.
He argued that disrupting financial networks remains crucial to weakening terrorist organisations.
Bukarti also called for stronger security cooperation between Nigeria, Niger and Benin. This is important as authorities confront evolving terrorist networks across the region.
