A report from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has revealed the sources of funding for the activities of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The NFIU has also found 27 groups associated with IPOB in 22 different countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
According to the NFIU, the US and the UK have the highest number of these IPOB groups, with seven and six groups, respectively, in each country.
The report details how IPOB, along with bandits and other terrorist organizations, are being funded through global crowdfunding and sports betting platforms.
In 2017, the Nigerian government banned IPOB and labeled them as a terrorist group.
Currently, IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is facing terrorism charges from the government.
The NFIU’s report, titled “Counter Terrorism Financial Newsletter,” connects 54 individuals worldwide to the operations of IPOB.
“The NFIU confirmed that the diaspora affiliates of the IPOB group have spread over 22 countries across the globe. Further analysis exposed 27 entities across the globe registered in the name of the group, the US and the UK had the highest number of registrations, having seven and six registered entities, respectively,” the document stated.
“The analysis further indicates that the group has several bank accounts in different countries where funds are being received from various contributors with the narrations ‘Monthly Dues, Services, and for ESN’, among others, then later disbursed for various operations.
“It was confirmed that one of the major sources of revenue for the group is crowdfunding by several individuals abroad, mostly Nigerians.
“It was observed that over $160,000 was disbursed to Transmission, Media, and Broadcasting companies in Bulgaria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
“The analysis profiled the leader of the group, his addresses, and mobile numbers abroad with other 53 individuals associated with the dissident group. The report was forwarded to Law Enforcement for further investigation,” it added.
