Eleven suspected terrorists, including top operatives of several extremist groups, have been apprehended in Nigeria following an international security operation spearheaded by INTERPOL in collaboration with the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation.
The joint mission, codenamed Operation Catalyst, targeted networks involved in terrorism financing and other transnational crimes across Africa. Conducted between July and September 2025, the two-month coordinated exercise took place simultaneously in six African countries, Nigeria, Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Namibia, and South Sudan.
The PUNCH reported that a statement released by INTERPOL and on Thursday confirmed that the operation led to 83 arrests and the identification of 160 individuals of interest linked to terrorism financing, money laundering, cyber-enabled fraud, and the illicit use of virtual assets.
According to the statement, the 11 suspects arrested in Nigeria are believed to be senior members of multiple terrorist organizations active both within the country and the wider Sahel region.
“In Nigeria, the operation led to the arrest of 11 suspected terrorists, including high-level members of several terrorist groups,” INTERPOL said.
Investigators also uncovered a massive cryptocurrency-based Ponzi scheme posing as a legitimate trading platform.
The fraudulent network reportedly swindled over $562 million from more than 100,000 victims in at least 17 countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Cameroon.
“The scheme accumulated more than 100,000 victims globally. Investigations found that several large-valued crypto wallets were potentially linked to terrorism financing activities. The case remains under active investigation,” the statement noted.
In addition, INTERPOL issued a Red Notice for another suspect allegedly behind a separate cryptocurrency scam that defrauded victims of about $5 million, using multiple crypto addresses and centralized exchanges to conceal the illicit flow of funds.
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza hailed the operation as a testament to the effectiveness of global security collaboration.
“Operation Catalyst shows the power of coordinated global law enforcement action in dismantling the complex web of terrorism financing,” he stated.
AFRIPOL’s Executive Director, Ambassador Jalel Chelba, also praised the joint effort, emphasizing its significance for continental security cooperation.
“This joint effort shows how coordinated action among member states can effectively address evolving security threats and contribute to a stable and secure Africa,” Chelba added.
