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BREAKING: Foreigners funding terrorism, illegal mining for blood-money – Tinubu
“Look at the illegal mining that plagues so many of our nations today. Those who think illegal mining has no connection with financing terrorism are sorely mistaken. The international community has both the moral and legal obligation to help in this cause because it is outside money not African money that fuels the illegal operations.”
These were the exact words of President Bola Tinubu, on Monday as he pointed out the role played by the global community in the escalation of illegal mining, illicit funds flow, and terrorism funding in Africa, which he insisted must help in the ongoing war against the menaces in the continent.
It was a day the President also emphasised the need for African countries to strengthen regional cooperation and institution-building to address the evolving threat of terrorism on the continent, stressing that terrorism poses a significant threat to peace, security, and development in Africa.
Tinubu told his audience, at the opening ceremony of a two-day African High-Level Meeting on Counter-terrorism, hosted by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, emphasising that it is money from foreign land that had been fuelling illegal mining in Africa, which has in turn been funding terrorism.
Bemoaning the ugly situation, the President whose message at the themed Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address Evolving Threats of Terrorism, was conveyed via by Ajuri Ngelale, his spokesman in a statement, said that illegal mining, apart from sustaining high level criminality across the continent, had robbed countries on the continent of the natural resources required to meet their national needs.
Emphasising that the activities were now being hijacked by terrorist groups in exchange for foreign cash, which was in turn used to buy more arms and ammunition, he stated: “While we seek to address the root causes of terrorism, we must also attack the roots that feed this evil branch. Evolving from the tactics of yesterday, terrorism is becoming a greater threat as it perfects ways to continuously finance, re-equip, and re-supply itself for its sinister mission.
“Not only does it kidnap people, it kidnaps precious resources. Billions upon billions of dollars that legitimate governments should be using to sculpt better societies by providing education, health care, and food for its people now go to pay for weapons and mayhem.
“We shall be knocking on this door of the international community to answer this call for justice, peace, and fair play. Terrorism snipes at the very fabric of the tranquil, prosperous, and just societies we seek to build for ourselves and our children. It seeks to frighten the farmer from his field, children from their schools, women from the marketplace, and families from their very homes.”
“Terror cannot co-exist in the same space as democracy and good governance, just as darkness and light cannot endure in the same room at the same time. Terrorism has no respect for national boundaries, ethnic bloodlines, or religious creeds, and therefore requires a comprehensive and collective approach to combat it.
“We must address the root causes of extremism, such as poverty, marginalisation, and social injustice. However, this important fact should not become empty rhetoric, devoid of meaning or action.”
Highlighting the need for a fully operational Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre to serve as a hub for intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building, he emphasised the importance of strengthening existing counter-terrorism structures, such as the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit (RIFU), the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), and the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA).
Stressing the need for a Regional Standby Force that includes tackling terrorism as part of its mandate, he said: “Such a force can serve as a rapid deployment mechanism, capable of swiftly responding to major threats and bolstering the security of our region. It can stand as a strong deterrent to large-scale and protracted terrorist operations and the capture, occupation, or disruption of strategic land and resources.”
He called for the establishment of an all-inclusive African Union Ministerial Committee on Counter-Terrorism to ensure that high-level government officials meet regularly to assess counter-terrorism efforts and provide guidance on how to improve, adding that Nigeria, remaining firmly committed to fighting terrorism and violent extremism, had taken bold steps to enhance its counter-terrorism capabilities through the enactment of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act and the establishment of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
He added: “Our security forces continue to demonstrate courage and dedication in the fight against terrorism, often at great personal risk. I am grateful for the selfless work and sacrifice of these patriotic men and women. There is the need to halt the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) on the continent. No one state can solve this problem for itself. It requires continuous and concerted action by all of us.
“We need to reposition our regional organisations and build the capacity of our national institutions to effectively address this element of terrorism and violent extremism. I call on African leaders to work together to defeat terrorism and ensure peace and security on the continent.
“Let us show our respective populations that we, as leaders, are committed to their safety and welfare. Let us leave here with real results. May this conference be succinct and to the point. Let us be focused and dedicated to pinpointing and embarking on the meaningful and strong action needed to win the day and free our continent of violent extremists.”
Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA), who stated that terrorism in Africa was driven by several factors, including organised crime, foreign terrorist financing and training, poverty, inequality, and prolonged conflicts, among others, regretted the parlous situation while addressing the meeting – an African High-Level Meeting on Counter-Terrorism bringing together leaders and experts from across the continent to discuss ways to strengthen regional cooperation and institution-building to combat terrorism.
Anybody with credible information on the wrong use of its trucks will be richer by a whopping N500,000, going by signals coming from Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) – an initiative to encourage whistleblower to report sharp practices within its operations.
The company, which said the move is part of efforts to curb unauthorised haulage activities and protect the integrity of its nationwide logistics operations, encouraged the public to report any suspected cases of its trucks being used to transport unauthorised goods or passengers.
The conglomerate in a statement on Sunday, reiterating it consistent warning that only approved products were permitted to be conveyed by trucks belonging to its subsidiaries, maintained that Dangote Cement trucks are authorised to transport only cement, limestone, high-grade gypsum, coal and clinker, Dangote Sugar Refinery trucks, to sugar products while those of NASCON Allied Industries were designated for Dangote Salt and DanQ Seasoning products.
Part of the statement, read: “Dangote Packaging vehicles are to carry bags and packaging materials, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals trucks are approved for polypropylene products, while Dangote Fertiliser Limited vehicles are authorised to transport urea fertilizer.
“Anyone with verifiable information that leads to the arrest of persons involved in illegal haulage activities or the recovery of unauthorized goods transported on Dangote trucks will receive a cash reward of Five Hundred Thousand Naira.”
In the programme, whistleblowers would be required to to provide details such as the truck type, registration plate number, cab number, location, description of the goods being transported, colour of the vehicle, and photographs where possible, to aid investigations through dedicated hotlines across its operations to receive reports of illegal haulage activities.
Stating that law enforcement agencies, including the police, have been authorised to arrest drivers found using Dangote trucks for unauthorised commercial haulage, the company reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against logistics-related fraud, saying the whistleblower programme is aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and compliance across its logistics network.
It added: “Public cooperation remains critical in our efforts to eradicate illegal haulage activities. We encourage anyone with credible information to come forward and help us maintain the integrity of our transportation system.”
Except any miracle happens, it is becoming obvious that no member of the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will contest the 2027 general elections at any level, as the door has obviously been slammed on the face of the camp by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This fact became evident with the opposite camp led by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), fully uploading the names of its own candidates in the commission’s nomination portal.
After ostensibly losing out in the bid to remain the National Chairman of the party, on the strength of the PDP convention held in Ibadan in November 2025, Turaki, had a lee-way when he was announced by the party’s Boad of Trustees (BoT), as the Chairman of a 13-man Caretaker Committee, inaugurated by Adolphus Wabara on May 4 this year.
INEC appears not swayed over the Wabara initiative, and has continued to deal with the Wike group, despite the argument that the verdict of the Supreme Court also decapitated the wings upon which it sought to fly by upholding the suspension of Sam Anyanwu, as National Secretary, and thus rendered the meeting he called that led to the opposite leadership, INEC, appears swayed.
Abdulrahman Mohammed, National Chairman, of the Wike camp, who announced the latest development in a statement on Sunday, said: “This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the promise we made that, under my leadership, the PDP will fully participate in the 2027 General Elections. Today, we have taken another decisive step towards fulfilling that promise.
“As we await the conclusion of the upload of our Governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates, I, on behalf of the National Working Committee of our Party, extend my heartfelt congratulations to all PDP members across Nigeria and around the world. Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more united Party and a better future for our nation.”
On May 26, the Wike-backed PDP named Sandy Onor, a former senator, as its presidential candidate.
On May 30, the opposition party faction led by Kabiru Turaki announced former President Goodluck Jonathan as its standard-bearer for the 2027 elections.
On July 10, Wike said it would be difficult for the PDP to win a presidential election unless it first resolved its lingering internal crises.
The minister added that political parties hoping to win the presidency must surmount their internal challenges and strengthen their grassroots structures.
“We are not passers-by in our nations. We are bona fide citizens of the nation. We have a right to participate in who governs us,” were the exact words with which David Oyedepo, Presiding bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, sought to rouse the consciousness of Nigerians to directly get involved in the affairs of the country.
Oyedepo, a known critic of President Bola Tinubu, directly asked members of the church to obtain their voter cards to do the needful, through active participation in the electoral process as responsible citizens.
On Sunday during the church’s service at the Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun state, Oyedepo said Christians have a civic responsibility to participate in deciding who governs their countries, the fiery cleric admonished his flock: “We have a civic responsibility as responsible citizens of our various nations. This church is today in 144 nations.
“So, endeavour to secure your voter cards. You are men and women of the spirit. You should know on your own personal conviction where to cast your vote.
“You, as bona fide citizens of your respective countries should not remain indifferent to the electoral process. So, please go ahead. It’s part of our policy; you will find it in our mandate. So, go ahead and ensure that you secure your voter’s right. And this church, with the millions that we have, we have a say in it. So, be part of it.”
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