The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has arrested 11 suspected high-level members of terrorist groups in Nigeria as part of a massive international operation against terrorism financing.
The arrests were made during a two-month mission called “Operation Catalyst,” which also involved the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL).
According to Interpol, 83 suspects were arrested in total across six African countries — Angola, Cameroon, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, and South Sudan.
The Aim of Operation Catalyst
Interpol said the operation was designed to disrupt terrorism financing networks and uncover illegal activities that help fund terrorist organisations
Over 15,000 people and organisations were investigated, leading to the discovery of $260 million in both traditional and digital currencies potentially linked to terrorism-related activities.
Out of this amount, over $600,000 was seized, and many financial accounts were frozen.
Breakdown of the Arrests
According to Interpol:
- 21 suspects were arrested for terrorism-related crimes.
- 28 were linked to financial fraud and money laundering.
- 16 were connected to cyber scams.
- 18 others were arrested for the illegal use of virtual (digital) assets.
Major Findings from the Operation
In Angola, 25 people from different countries were detained after investigations revealed illegal money transfer systems used to fund terrorism and launder money. Police searched 30 commercial establishments, seizing about $588,000, 100 phones, and 40 computers, while 60 bank accounts were frozen.
In Kenya, authorities discovered a virtual asset-based money laundering scheme worth about $430,000, suspected to have links to terrorism financing. Two people were arrested for running the operation, and another two were arrested for recruiting young people online into terrorist groups across East and North Africa. Interpol said the cryptocurrency trail used in this recruitment network was traced back to individuals in Tanzania.
In Nigeria, 11 suspected terrorists were arrested — including high-level members of different terrorist groups. Investigators also uncovered a cryptocurrency-based Ponzi scheme that pretended to be a legitimate online trading platform but turned out to be part of a massive global scam.
The fake investment platform reportedly operated across 17 countries, including Cameroon, Kenya, and Nigeria, and caused losses of over $562 million, affecting more than 100,000 victims worldwide.
Interpol said some of the digital wallets connected to the scheme were found to be linked to terrorism financing, and investigations are still ongoing.
Why This Matters
Operation Catalyst is one of the largest joint efforts in Africa aimed at cutting off the money supply to terrorist organisations.
By tracking and seizing funds — especially those hidden in cryptocurrencies and online platforms — Interpol and AFRIPOL hope to disrupt criminal networks and make it harder for terrorists to operate.
The operation also highlights how terrorism, online fraud, and money laundering are becoming increasingly connected in the digital age.
Interpol’s Message
Interpol said the success of the operation shows how international cooperation can help protect countries from threats that cross borders.
“Operation Catalyst demonstrates the power of coordinated global action against those who use financial systems — traditional or digital — to support terrorism,” the organisation stated.
With the arrests made in Nigeria and across Africa, Interpol and AFRIPOL say more investigations are underway to trace the full network of individuals and groups involved in terror financing and online fraud.
The case remains open as authorities continue to analyse seized data, digital wallets, and communication devices to uncover more leads.
