The Federal Government has uncovered a growing and sophisticated tactic being used by terrorist groups to collect and move ransom payments across Nigeria, raising fresh concerns over terrorism financing and internal security.
Authorities disclosed that kidnappers and terror cells now rely heavily on Point of Sale (PoS) operators to receive ransom payments, a strategy that allows them to bypass direct banking channels and evade detection by security agencies.
The revelation was made on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director-General of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major General Adamu Laka, during the Centre’s 2025 end-of-year press briefing.
According to Laka, ransom payments remain one of the most critical sources of funding for terrorist operations. He explained that victims’ families are often instructed to transfer ransom money into accounts belonging to PoS operators rather than directly to the kidnappers.
“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He noted that the method makes it difficult for authorities to trace the funds, as the cash is usually withdrawn almost immediately, long before investigators can establish the final destination of the money.
Despite the evolving tactics, the NCTC boss said security agencies have intensified efforts to monitor suspicious transactions and identify individuals aiding the movement of ransom funds.
Laka revealed that several arrests have already been made in connection with terrorism financing and ransom-related transactions, adding that prosecutions are ongoing, although specific operational details were not disclosed for security reasons.
He further disclosed that Nigeria is strengthening its compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks, including asset seizures and financial recoveries linked to terror networks.
Beyond financial channels, the Federal Government also raised concerns over the growing use of social media platforms by terrorist groups to promote attacks, flaunt looted items and communicate with supporters.
Laka listed platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and X as frequently exploited by terror groups, noting that security agencies are working closely with social media companies to identify and take down accounts linked to extremist activities.
“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.
He added that terrorist groups constantly change their methods, including the use of aliases and unverified accounts, forcing security agencies to continuously adapt their counterterrorism strategies.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre operates under the Office of the National Security Adviser and coordinates Nigeria’s national response to terrorism and violent extremism.
