Olushola Omogbehin
Federal Government has finally published a list of 48 individuals and groups said to be connected with terrorism financing in Nigeria.
The list, which was published on Saturday by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee, has generated reactions by Nigerians who are demanding for action without delay.
Security operatives are also warning that failure to follow through may further erode trust in government fight against terrotrism.
The publication is made up of names of individuals and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activities, including persons linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ansaru and Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP.
It also contains West and East Africa General Trading, Settings Bureau De Change Ltd, and the Lakurawa Sect.
Among the names which are published on NiGSAC website are: Finland-based factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Simon Ekpa, and the publisher of Desert Herald, Tukur Mamu, Adamu Ishaq, Hassana Isah, Abdulkareem Musa, Umar Abdullahi, Abdurrahaman Ado, Bashir Yusuf, Ibrahim Alhassan, Muhammad Isah, Salihu Adamu, Surajo Mohammad, Abdulsamat Ohida, Mohammed Sani, Abdurrahaman Abdurrahaman,
Fannami Bukar, Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail, Mohammed Buba, Adamu Hassan, Hassan Mohammed, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, Rabiu Suleiman, Godstime Iyare, Francis Mmaduabuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chiwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie, and Ogumu Kewe, Fatima Ishaq, Yusuf Ghazali, Muhammad Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, and Sallamudeen Hassan.
Coming barely 24 hours after the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, concluded the ninth phase of the mass trial of over 500 persons linked to the Boko Haram terrorist sect, analysts described this move as a right move in the right order.
As reported by Punch, security experts and retired senior law enforcement officers have stressed that the next steps must be rapid and well coordinated because publishing a list is only the beginning.
The real test is what happens next: arrests, prosecution, and convictions.
