The Federal Government has raised serious concerns over new methods being used by terrorists and criminal groups to finance their activities, revealing that Point of Sale (PoS) operators are now being used to collect ransom payments from victims of kidnapping.
The government also disclosed that terrorists are increasingly using social media platforms to promote their activities, communicate with supporters, and raise funds, prompting security agencies to work closely with major technology companies to track and remove such accounts.
The Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major-General Adamu Laka, made this known on Tuesday during the Centre’s end-of-the-year press briefing for 2025, held at its headquarters in Abuja.
According to Laka, ransom payments remain one of the biggest sources of funding for terrorist groups operating in Nigeria. He explained that criminals have now adopted more sophisticated methods to move money and avoid detection by security agencies.
One of the most worrying trends, he said, is the use of PoS operators as middlemen in ransom transactions. Instead of ransom money being paid directly to kidnappers, victims or their families are often asked to transfer money to bank accounts belonging to PoS operators.
“You see a transfer made by terrorists, and when you investigate the account, it belongs to a PoS operator. The kidnappers give out the PoS operator’s number, the money is transferred, and they go to collect it,” Laka said.
He explained that once the money enters the PoS account, it is quickly withdrawn in cash and handed over to the kidnappers, making it harder for security agencies to trace the funds. This method, according to him, takes advantage of the widespread presence of PoS businesses across the country, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
In recent years, PoS services have grown rapidly in Nigeria due to limited access to banks in many communities and the need for quick cash transactions. While the system has helped financial inclusion, security experts warn that weak monitoring has also made it attractive to criminals.
Laka stressed that not all PoS operators are involved in criminal activities, but some knowingly or unknowingly allow their accounts to be used for illegal transactions. He said security agencies are stepping up efforts to identify and arrest those who aid terrorists, either deliberately or through negligence.
He revealed that several arrests and prosecutions have already been carried out in connection with ransom payments and terrorism financing, although he did not provide specific details. According to him, operational information is often kept confidential to protect ongoing investigations and national security.
The NCTC boss added that tracking ransom payments and seizing assets linked to terror financing are part of Nigeria’s obligations under international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules. Nigeria has faced pressure in the past from global financial bodies to strengthen its systems against money laundering and terrorist financing.
“Asset recovery and seizures are part of our compliance with international standards. We are committed to cutting off funding sources for terrorism in Nigeria,” Laka said.
Beyond financial transactions, the Federal Government also expressed concern over the increasing use of social media by terrorist groups. Laka listed platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and X as channels being used to spread propaganda, display looted items, and communicate with followers.
He explained that terrorists use these platforms to create fear, recruit members, and show their activities to gain attention. In some cases, they also use social media to solicit funds or boast about attacks.
To address this threat, Laka said Nigerian security agencies have been engaging directly with major social media companies. These engagements, he noted, focus on identifying harmful content and ensuring that accounts linked to terrorism are taken down.
“These platforms are businesses and are interested in growing their user base, but we engage them and explain the implications of certain posts on national security, and we take them down,” he said.
According to him, cooperation with social media companies has improved, although challenges remain. Terrorists, he noted, often use fake names, aliases, and unverified accounts to avoid detection. They also quickly open new accounts after old ones are shut down.
Laka said security agencies constantly adapt their strategies to keep up with these changes. This includes monitoring online activities, improving digital intelligence, and training personnel in cyber investigation.
Nigeria has battled terrorism and banditry for over a decade, especially in the North-East, North-West, and parts of the North-Central regions. Thousands of lives have been lost, while many communities have been displaced. Kidnapping for ransom has also spread to other parts of the country, becoming a major security and economic challenge.
Laka urged members of the public, financial institutions, and PoS operators to be more vigilant and report suspicious transactions. He said stronger cooperation between citizens and security agencies is key to disrupting terror financing.
He also called for better regulation and monitoring of PoS operations to prevent abuse of the system. According to him, financial intelligence units are working with banks and regulators to improve oversight.
As Nigeria moves into 2026, the Federal Government says it remains committed to tackling terrorism through improved intelligence, stronger partnerships, and cutting off funding sources. While challenges persist, officials insist that progress is being made behind the scenes.
