The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has announced the arrest of 11 senior members of terrorist groups in Nigeria as part of a continent-wide crackdown on terrorism financing and related crimes.

The arrests were made under Operation Catalyst, a major three-month initiative conducted between July and September 2025 across six African countries — Nigeria, Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Namibia, and South Sudan.

According to INTERPOL, the operation resulted in 83 arrests and the identification of 160 persons of interest. In Nigeria, 11 suspected terrorists, including high-ranking members of several terrorist organisations, were apprehended.

The operation also uncovered extensive financial networks allegedly used to fund terrorism through illegal transactions and online fraud schemes.

Law enforcement agencies screened over 15,000 persons and entities, revealing about USD 260 million in both fiat and virtual currencies linked to terrorism financing. Of this amount, approximately USD 600,000 has already been seized. Investigations are ongoing to trace and recover additional assets.

INTERPOL reported that the operation also exposed financial fraud, cyber-enabled scams, money laundering, and the illicit use of virtual assets as major funding sources for terrorist groups.

The joint operation was coordinated by INTERPOL and the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL).

INTERPOL’s Secretary-General, Valdecy Urquiza, said the collaboration demonstrated Africa’s growing ability to confront transnational threats.

“Operation Catalyst marks the first time financial crime, cybercrime, and counter-terrorism units from multiple African countries have joined forces. By sharing intelligence, expertise, and resources, we can more effectively disrupt the financial flows that sustain terrorism,” he said.

AFRIPOL Executive Director, Ambassador Jalel Chelba, described the exercise as evidence of Africa’s united resolve against terrorism.

“This joint effort to disrupt terrorist financing shows how coordinated action among member states can address complex and evolving security threats,” Chelba stated.

Highlighting country-specific results, INTERPOL said Angola detained 25 individuals and seized USD 588,000, 100 mobile phones, and 40 computers.
In Kenya, authorities dismantled a USD 430,000 virtual asset laundering network, arresting two suspects, while another Kenyan case involved the use of cryptocurrency to recruit youths into terrorist groups across East and North Africa.

Investigators also uncovered a cryptocurrency-based Ponzi scheme operating across 17 countries, including Nigeria, which defrauded victims of USD 562 million.

A Red Notice has been issued for a suspect behind a USD 5 million cryptocurrency scam allegedly used to finance terrorism.

The operation was conducted under the ISPA Programme, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, aimed at strengthening AFRIPOL’s capacity to combat transnational organised crime and terrorism.

Investigators believe the illicit funds were channelled through multiple exchanges to conceal their origins and convert them into fiat currency. INTERPOL confirmed that investigations into the financial networks and assets remain ongoing.