At least 11 suspected high-level members of several terrorist groups have been arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) in Nigeria.
They were among 83 suspects apprehended across six African countries in a sweeping crackdown on terrorism financing and organised crime, codenamed “Operation Catalyst.”
The two-month operation, which spanned Nigeria, Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Namibia, and South Sudan, targeted networks funding terrorist activities and the illegal operations sustaining them.
In a statement released on Monday, Interpol said the coordinated effort involved the investigation of more than 15,000 individuals and entities suspected of aiding terrorism and related crimes.
“Of the 83 arrests, 21 were for terrorism-related crimes, 28 were for financial fraud and money laundering, 16 were linked to cyber-enabled scams, and a further 18 were related to the illicit use of virtual assets,” the statement said.
The international police agency disclosed that $260 million in both fiat and virtual currencies was traced during the operation, while over $600,000 in criminal proceeds was seized.
Interpol said Operation Catalyst forms part of its broader strategy to disrupt terrorist financing channels and dismantle cross-border criminal networks operating across Africa.
The agency commended the cooperation of national security and intelligence services in the participating countries, noting that further investigations are underway to track other members of the syndicates.
