The Acting Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, has reiterated the administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property through stronger collaboration with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
Lawal, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, made the declaration on Tuesday at a capacity-building workshop focused on awareness, intelligence gathering and institutional responses to emerging threats linked to illicit financial flows.
The workshop was held at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju.
The acting governor said the state government had intensified its partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prevent the misuse of humanitarian funding platforms and other financial channels for terrorism financing and criminal activities.
He said the evolving security situation across the South-West, particularly recent cases of kidnapping, had highlighted the need for stronger measures to address unconventional threats.
Lawal noted that criminal networks were increasingly adopting sophisticated methods to raise and transfer funds, including the misuse of crowdfunding platforms, humanitarian interventions, non-governmental organisations and informal financial systems.
“While humanitarian assistance remains critical to supporting vulnerable communities, there is a need for improved regulatory frameworks, proper documentation, and effective monitoring to ensure such platforms are not hijacked by individuals or groups with criminal intentions,” he said.
He stressed that stronger financial intelligence and improved coordination among government agencies would be crucial to disrupting criminal networks.
Lawal urged participants from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to deepen their understanding of terrorism financing trends and develop proactive measures for early detection and prevention.
He also called for the establishment of dedicated desks within MDAs to promote intelligence sharing, monitor suspicious financial activities and ensure swift responses to emerging security challenges.
The workshop provided an avenue for experts and stakeholders to share best practices on countering terrorism financing, strengthening institutional capacity and protecting legitimate humanitarian interventions from abuse.
The event was attended by the Commissioner for Energy, Prof. Dahud Shangodoyin; Commissioner for Investment, Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Prof. Solihu Adelabu; Commissioner for Works and Transport, Arch. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola; permanent secretaries, directors and other senior government officials.
