TERRORISM PREVENTION AND PROHIBITION ACT

What Is This Policy?

The Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 is Nigeria's primary counter-terrorism legislation, consolidating and strengthening the legal framework for preventing, detecting, and prosecuting terrorism and terrorist financing. It aligns Nigeria with FATF Recommendation 5 on terrorist financing and UN Security Council obligations on counter-terrorism. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; UN Security Council Resolutions 1267, 1373, and 2178 on counter-terrorism; Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022; Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022; FATF Recommendations; African Union Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism

Individuals and organisations engaged in or supporting terrorist activities within or from Nigeria Financial institutions and DNFBPs required to screen customers and transactions against terrorism watchlists Technology and communications platforms used to organise, fund, or incite terrorism All government agencies with counter-terrorism mandates: DSS, NIA, ONSA, Police, Military, EFCC, and NFIU

Who Does It Target?

Individuals and groups engaged in, planning, or financing terrorism activities. National security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies. Financial institutions required to identify and report terrorist financing. Victims of terrorism and their families seeking justice and compensation.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Provide a comprehensive legal basis for investigating, prosecuting, and convicting terrorists and their supporters Freeze and forfeit assets of designated terrorist individuals and organisations, including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandits Establish clear offences for terrorist financing, recruitment, training, and facilitation to close prosecution gaps Comply with FATF's requirements on terrorist financing prosecution, enabling Nigeria to exit the FATF grey list

Key Features

Extended Terrorism Definition: The Act broadens the definition of terrorism to include cybercrime-facilitated terrorism, financing through cryptocurrency, and ideologically motivated mass casualty attacks Proscription of Terrorist Groups: The Attorney-General can proscribe organisations as terrorist groups; current proscriptions include Boko Haram, ISWAP, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and bandits Terrorist Financing Offences: Maximum 20-year imprisonment for providing funds, services, or assets to any terrorist or terrorist organisation Asset Freezing: Designated persons' and entities' assets are frozen immediately upon listing; financial institutions must act within 24 hours of notification Counter-Terrorism Fund: A dedicated fund finances counter-terrorism operations, victim rehabilitation, community deradicalisation, and international cooperation Deradicalisation Framework: The Act provides for formal deradicalisation and rehabilitation programmes for low-risk offenders as an alternative to long-term imprisonment

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active; operational since 2022; judicial precedents being established under the new Act Implementing Body: Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA); DSS; NIA; Inspector-General of Police; EFCC; NFIU Security Context: Nigeria faces active threats from Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits in the Northwest, and separatist militancy in the Southeast and Niger Delta International Cooperation: Nigeria participates in the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the UN Security Council and receives technical assistance from the US, UK, and EU

How to Access

Report Terrorism: Report suspected terrorist activity, recruitment, or financing to DSS: dss.gov.ng or Nigeria Police Force: 0800 2255 0019 Financial Institutions: Access the Office of Financial Sanctions (OFS) and NFIU watchlists for terrorist designations; screen all new customers and transactions Contact: ONSA: onsa.gov.ng | DSS: dss.gov.ng | NFIU: nfiu.gov.ng

Official Resources

Website: onsa.gov.ng | agf.gov.ng | nfiu.gov.ng Contact: ONSA, State House, Abuja | DSS Emergency: 0800 2255 0019 Policy Summary | Source: ONSA, AGF Nigeria, FATF GIABA, Council of Foreign Relations Nigeria, UN Counter-Terrorism Committee | February 2026

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; UN Security Council Resolutions 1267, 1373, and 2178 on counter-terrorism; Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022; Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022; FATF Recommendations; African Union Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism