In a determined push to dismantle the financial lifelines sustaining terrorism and criminality in Nigeria’s North-East, the Nigerian Army’s 23 Armoured Brigade has formally sought a strengthened partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to combat terrorism financing and illicit financial flows.
The move is part of a broader strategy to restore lasting peace and stability in Adamawa State and the wider Nigerian federation. Brigadier General Adamu Abdul, Commandant of the 23 Armoured Brigade, made the appeal recently when he led a high-level delegation on a courtesy visit to the Adamawa State Command of the ICPC.
The visit underscored the Army’s recognition of the Commission’s pivotal role in tracing and blocking the complex financial networks that underpin insurgent and criminal operations across the country. It further stressed that the Nigerian Army was eager to build a stronger and more structured partnership with the Commission in these critical areas.
Speaking during the visit, the Commandant explained that his assessment of the ICPC over time had convinced him that the Commission remains a major stakeholder in the fight against terrorism financing and illicit financial flows, particularly through intelligence gathering and information sharing.
Brigadier General Abdul emphasised that financial loopholes and other clandestine channels through which criminal and terrorist activities are funded must be identified and decisively blocked if the country is to confront its security challenges effectively.
Drawing on comparative experiences from other nations, the Commandant cited Liberia, where terrorism and other forms of insecurity have had devastating consequences, as a cautionary example. He observed that challenges such as kidnapping, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) underscored the urgent need to address not only the perpetrators but also the financial and logistical networks that sustain their activities.
The Commandant further acknowledged the contributions of previous commanders and the administration of the Nigerian Army in Adamawa State towards addressing security challenges, pledging that his tenure would build upon the achievements already recorded. He also expressed sincere appreciation to the ICPC and the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage.
Responding, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC), Okoro Ulu James, welcomed the Commandant and his delegation to the Commission and described the relationship between the ICPC and the Nigerian military as robust and mutually beneficial.
The ICPC Commissioner noted that both institutions had over the years collaborated in areas including the training of personnel and the sharing of information, adding that such cooperation has become even more vital given the security and governance challenges confronting the nation.
The RACC assured the Commandant that the ICPC would continue to work closely with the military in areas within its mandate, particularly in addressing financial and intelligence-related issues that could undermine efforts to combat terrorism and other criminal activities.