GIABA to uncover terrorism backers by bugging Nigeria borders

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The Inter-Governmental Action against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) on Tuesday said it would soon install more scanning machines in Nigerian borders to detect terrorism financiers.

GIABA is a specialised institution of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) that facilitates the adoption and implementation of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT) in West Africa.

Mr Timothy Melaye, GIABA's Information Manager, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the move was to strengthen the organisation’s effort at monitoring and tracking terrorism financing.

``So far, GIABA will say that there is reduction in the volume of money laundering and terrorism financing taking place in Nigeria and other ECOWAS states, but we are not there yet.

`GIABA’s aim is to ensure that Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries are rid of money laundering and financing of terrorists activities.

``GIABA, therefore, will in 2015 be working with ECOWAS member states to install more scanning machines in Nigerian borders.

``We strongly believe that with the installation of this equipment, it will become much easier for the law enforcement agencies to detect illegal movement of cash from and into Nigeria,’’ he said.

Melaye said that GIABA’s typology report had showed that terrorism financiers were now taking advantage of the nation’s porous borders to promote terrorists' activities in Nigeria and other neighboring countries.

He also disclosed the organization’s plan to commence building the capacities of law enforcement agencies at the different ports on the use of the scanning equipment.

Melaye urged the agencies to always avail themselves with the 2013 GIABA’s Typology report and use its intelligence information in the discharge of their duties at the borders.

``We expect the law enforcement agencies to take a critical look at GIABA’s Typology report and use those information in their fight against terrorists activities and terrorism financing at the borders,’’ he said.