The Nigerian government has revealed that terrorists and kidnappers are increasingly using Point-of-Sale (PoS) operators to collect and launder ransom payments, complicating efforts to track terror financing.
Major General Adamu Laka, Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser, disclosed this during an end-of-year press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
Laka explained that ransom remains a primary funding source for terrorist groups, with kidnappers directing victims' families to transfer money to PoS operators' accounts.
The operators then dispense cash to the criminals, obscuring financial trails."When you investigate a transfer, the account often belongs to a PoS operator.
The kidnappers provide the operator's details, the money is sent, and they collect it in cash," he said.
Security agencies have intensified monitoring of these transactions, leading to several arrests, prosecutions, asset seizures, and network disruptions, though operational specifics remain classified.
On the digital front, Laka highlighted terrorists' exploitation of social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) to publicise attacks, display looted items, recruit supporters, and spread propaganda.
Nigerian authorities are actively collaborating with these companies to identify and remove threatening accounts and content.
"We engage them on the national security risks, and they take action to remove the posts," Laka noted, adding that terrorists are adapting by using aliases and unverified profiles, prompting ongoing countermeasures.
These efforts have contributed to Nigeria's improved compliance with international standards, including progress with the Financial Action Task Force on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing.
Laka acknowledged persistent challenges from evolving tactics and regional instability but assured that security forces are committed to escalating operations in 2026.
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