Nigeria: Interpol Swoop Nets 11 Terror Financiers as Global Sting Exposes $260m Illicit Network

A major International crackdown coordinated by the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has dealt a heavy blow to terror financing in Africa, with 11 key suspects arrested in Nigeria.

The arrests were part of a sweeping intelligence-led operation. Operation Catalyst targeting the money trail behind terrorism and organised cybercrime.

The two-month operation, conducted with AFRIPOL and Security Agencies across six African countries Nigeria, Angola, Kenya, Cameroon, Namibia, and South Sudan — led to 83 arrests and the discovery of a staggering $260 million in funds suspected to be tied to terrorism, money laundering, and online fraud.

Interpol said investigations focused on disrupting informal money transfer systems, virtual asset services, and cryptocurrency platforms that have increasingly become conduits for terror financing.

In Nigeria, the Agency said its task force captured high-ranking operatives linked to multiple extremist groups active in the Country’s Northeast and North-central Regions.

Across Africa, the operation also yielded major breakthroughs. In Angola, 25 suspects of multiple nationalities were detained for running underground cash transfer networks.

In Kenya, authorities uncovered a $430,000 crypto-based laundering scheme and arrested two people involved in online recruitment for terrorist groups operating across East and North Africa.

The transnational sweep further exposed a massive cryptocurrency Ponzi operation that defrauded over 100,000 people in 17 countries — including Nigeria — with total losses estimated at $562 million.

Interpol believes parts of these proceeds were channelled into terror activities.

“This operation demonstrates the power of International coordination in disrupting the financial lifelines that sustain terrorism,” Interpol said in its statement, noting that 60 bank accounts were frozen and hundreds of digital devices seized.

Nigeria continues to grapple with violent extremism led by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents. The latest arrests, experts say, represent a turning point in the broader effort to track and block the sophisticated financial networks fueling terrorism across Africa.