The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has begun assessing the vulnerability of non-profit organisations (NPOs) in Niger State to terrorism financing.
The exercise is being conducted by the commission’s Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) to identify gaps that could allow legitimate organisations to be exploited for illicit financial activities.
The leader of the EFCC delegation, Assistant Commander Tope Erinnomo, disclosed this when the team visited the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, in Minna on Tuesday.
Erinnomo said the team would engage relevant state agencies to assess the threats and vulnerabilities confronting NPOs and strengthen measures to prevent their exploitation for terrorism financing.
The agencies include the State Planning Commission, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Ministry of Homeland Security, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
He also made a presentation on NPO risk assessment and the categories of terrorism financing risks faced by non-profit organisations.
The SSG assured the delegation of the state government’s cooperation, saying his office would facilitate its engagement with relevant ministries, departments and agencies.
Usman stressed the need for stronger coordination and information-sharing among government institutions and stakeholders to prevent legitimate organisations from being used for illicit financial activities.