Security experts have advocated for a renewed legislative framework and stronger synergy among African countries to curb terrorism funding and block sources of illegal financial flows on the continent.

The Head of the Cybercrime Section, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate, Jame Ebiboloukemi, made this submission during the monthly Service and Agency Officers’ Lecture organised by the 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Bukavo Barracks, Kano.

Although the expert acknowledged that many African countries have existing regulations and systemic structures to check the financial lifelines that strengthen terrorist groups, he identified several challenges hampering their effectiveness.

In his paper titled “Regulatory Framework: A Countermeasure to Terrorism Funding in Africa,” Ebiboloukemi explained that strong regulatory frameworks are capable of tracing and disrupting financial flows, as well as providing legal tools for prosecution.

The cybercrime expert stressed that despite the presence of such frameworks, several African countries, including Nigeria, face hurdles in fully realising their effectiveness.

Ebiboloukemi stressed the lack of skilled personnel, inadequate technological infrastructure, fragmented jurisdictions, legal inconsistencies, and corruption as major impediments to tackling terrorism financing in Africa.

While proffering solutions to these challenges, the cybersecurity expert recommended the harmonisation of regulations and terrorism laws, strengthened collaboration with regional bodies and institutions, and strong political will as essential steps to cut off terrorism funding.

“Regulatory frameworks are absolutely essential countermeasures to terrorism funding. In many African countries, good laws and regional engagements already exist, which is promising.

“However, gaps remain, especially in enforcement, capacity, coverage of non-traditional sectors, transparency, and harmonisation. Hence, there is a need for continued capacity building and international coordination to effectively dismantle the financial infrastructure that supports terrorism on the continent,” Ebiboloukemi stated.

The convener of the lecture and Commander, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Bukavo Barracks, Kano, Brigadier General Ahmad Tukur, emphasised that beyond military operations, combating terrorism requires collective effort.

General Tukur explained that the monthly lecture series is designed to keep officers abreast of current developments in the security architecture while creating a platform for exchanging ideas among sister agencies in managing insecurity in the country.

“We are currently engaged in fighting insurgency and terrorism, which pose major threats to our nation. In today’s environment, a whole-of-society approach is required to counter these threats — the military alone cannot do it.

“The synergy that brings everyone together is what’s needed. Most times, we select topics that cut across different services so that we can enrich ourselves and draw from each other’s experiences. Once we leave here, we should be able to internalise and domesticate the lessons learned.

“We have discussed drug law issues and how they pose a threat to the nation. This is the purpose of the training day. So far, we’ve been able to achieve very good synergy within the state,” General Tukur noted.

The October Officers and Agency Lecture drew participants from the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Customs Service, and other paramilitary agencies.