The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has arrested at least 11 suspected high-level members of terrorist groups in Nigeria as part of a major transnational crackdown on terrorism financing.
The arrests were made under Operation Catalyst, a two-month coordinated effort across six African countries — Nigeria, Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Namibia, and South Sudan — aimed at dismantling networks involved in terrorism funding and related illegal activities.
According to a statement by Interpol, a total of 83 suspects were apprehended during the operation, which also uncovered $260 million linked to illicit transactions in both fiat and virtual currencies. Authorities further seized over $600,000 in cash and assets during the raids.
“Of the 83 arrests, 21 were for terrorism-related crimes, 28 were for financial fraud and money laundering, 16 were linked to cyber-enabled scams, and 18 were related to the illicit use of virtual assets,” Interpol stated.
The global police agency said the operation involved scrutinising more than 15,000 persons of interest and entities, highlighting the growing intersection between terror financing, organised crime, and cyber-enabled financial fraud across Africa.
Interpol noted that intelligence gathered during Operation Catalyst will be shared with relevant national security and financial intelligence agencies to support ongoing investigations and future counterterrorism operations.
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