Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) and the National Technical Risk Assessment Committee on Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) have decided to collaborate to strengthen measures against diversion of resources to terrorist groups.

This is particularly aimed at identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities that could be exploited to finance terrorism in the North East

Team Leader of the Committee, Mrs Ibinabo Amachree, disclosed this when she led other members of the committee on a visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force in Maiduguri on Wednesday as part of the ongoing 2026 National Technical Risk Assessment of Non-Profit Organisations in Nigeria.

A statement from the OPHK said that Amachree explained the assessment builds on the findings of the 2022 National Risk Assessment and is being conducted ahead of Nigeria’s next international evaluation on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing.

She noted that the 2022 assessment identified the North East and North West as areas of elevated terrorism-financing risk, with vulnerabilities including non-compliance with established operational procedures, movement of large volumes of cash without adequate documentation and security arrangements, as well as the potential exploitation of humanitarian and service oriented organisations by terrorist groups.

Amachree further stated that the current assessment adopts a risk-based approach to identify NPOs that may be particularly vulnerable to abuse for terrorism-financing purposes.

According to her, relevant agencies have developed measures to strengthen the monitoring of identified high risk organisations, including appropriate due diligence and vetting of personnel and vendors engaged by NPOs operating in vulnerable areas.

The Theatre Commander, OPHK Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, described terrorism financing as a critical enabler of terrorist activities and stressed the need to disrupt the financial lifelines that sustain terrorist organisations.

Abubakar reaffirmed that OPHK would continue to support legitimate humanitarian and non-profit activities while ensuring strict compliance with established security and operational procedures within the theatre.

He noted that the movement of cash and humanitarian supplies without adequate documentation, security coordination and escort remains a concern.

The Theatre Commander, therefore, urged NPOs and humanitarian organisations to provide sufficient advance notice of planned movements to enable OPHK to coordinate security escorts, route protection and, where necessary, air support.

He also called for proper due diligence and security screening of local vendors and service providers contracted by humanitarian organisations.

Abubakar recalled that OPHK recently hosted a Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination Roundtable involving humanitarian actors and United Nations agencies, where challenges affecting humanitarian access, movement of personnel and delivery of supplies were discussed, with measures agreed to improve coordination.

He assured the Committee of OPHK’s readiness to provide relevant operational information and other support required to enrich the 2026 National Technical Risk Assessment, subject to security and operational considerations.

Abubakar reaffirmed the OPHK’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation to disrupt terrorism financing and deny terrorist groups access to financial and material resources.

He also urged legitimate NPOs operating in the North East to adhere strictly to established procedures, maintain close coordination with security authorities and promptly report suspicious activities or vulnerabilities that could be exploited by terrorist organisations.