The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, has said the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, raised over $160,000 through monthly dues and crowdfunding efforts.
NFIU disclosed this in its recent publication, ‘Counter Terrorism Financial Newsletter’.
The intelligence unit revealed that the sophisticated financial network of the IPOB is linked to 54 individuals around the globe.
It said a detailed investigation into the financial operations of the IPOB revealed that diaspora affiliates of the group are spread across 22 countries.
The report identified 27 entities globally registered under the group’s name, with the highest number of registrations in the United States and the United Kingdom, having seven and six, respectively.
NFIU said several bank accounts in different countries were found to be receiving funds for various pretexts such as “Monthly Dues, Services, and for ESN” from numerous contributors.
“Following receipt of the request, NFIU confirmed that the diaspora affiliates of the IPOB group have spread over 22 countries across the globe. Further AnalysisAnalysis exposed 27 entities across the globe registered in the group’s name; the US and the UK had the highest number of registrations, having 7 and 6 registered entities, respectively.
“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 (One hundred and sixty thousand Dollars) was disbursed to Transmission, Media, and Broadcasting companies in Bulgaria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The AnalysisAnalysis profiled the group’s leader, his addresses, mobile numbers abroad, and 53 other individuals associated with the dissident group. The report was forwarded to Law Enforcement for further investigation,” it said.