The Oyo State Government has strengthened its partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prevent criminal networks from exploiting humanitarian funding platforms and other financial channels to finance terrorism and related activities.
According to a press statement issued by the special adviser (Media) to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Sulaiman Olanrewaju, on Wednesday, the Acting Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, disclosed this on Tuesday at a capacity-building workshop focused on awareness, intelligence gathering and institutional responses to emerging threats associated with illicit financial flows.
The workshop, held at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, brought together government officials and other stakeholders to examine measures for detecting and disrupting suspicious financial activities.
Lawal, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, said the state administration remained committed to protecting lives and property through stronger collaboration with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
He said the evolving security situation in the South-West, including recent incidents of kidnapping, had made it necessary for governments and institutions to strengthen their response to unconventional security threats.
According to the Acting Governor, criminal networks are adopting increasingly sophisticated methods to raise, transfer and conceal funds, making financial intelligence an important component of efforts to combat insecurity.
He identified crowdfunding platforms, humanitarian interventions, non-governmental organisations and informal financial systems among the channels that could be abused by individuals or groups seeking to finance criminal activities.
“While humanitarian assistance remains critical to supporting vulnerable communities, there is a need for improved regulatory frameworks, proper documentation, and effective monitoring to ensure such platforms are not hijacked by individuals or groups with criminal intentions,” Lawal said.
He stressed that stronger financial intelligence and improved coordination among government agencies would be crucial to disrupting the financial networks that support criminal operations.
The Acting Governor urged participants from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to improve their understanding of emerging terrorism-financing trends and develop proactive mechanisms for identifying and preventing suspicious activities.
Lawal also called for the establishment of dedicated desks within MDAs to improve intelligence sharing, monitor suspicious financial transactions and facilitate prompt institutional responses to emerging security threats.
The workshop provided an opportunity for experts and stakeholders to share best practices on countering terrorism financing, strengthening institutional capacity and preventing the abuse of legitimate humanitarian interventions.
Among those who attended were the Commissioner for Energy, Prof. Dahud Shangodoyin; Commissioner for Investment, Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Prof. Solihu Adelabu; and Commissioner for Works and Transport, Arch. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola.
Permanent secretaries, directors and other senior government officials also attended the workshop.
