Let’s talk about how corporate organisations and global terrorism are connected. It’s a serious issue, but we’ll keep it light and interesting. So, you know how terrorism, banditry, militancy, and religious extremism are causing a lot of trouble around the world? Well, it’s getting worse, and we need to pay attention.
According to the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), terrorist attacks have become deadlier, with more people being killed per attack in 2022 than in 2021. This is the first increase in five years, and it’s really concerning. The IEP’s Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report also highlights other terror-related incidents like abductions, injuries, and destruction of properties. It’s a big problem, and we need to find a way to tackle it.
The report identifies some of the deadliest terrorist groups in 2022, including Islamic State (IS) and its affiliates, al-Shabaab, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM). These groups are causing a lot of harm, and we need to stop them.
Now, here’s the tricky part – terrorist groups need money to fund their activities, buy weapons, and support their networks. One way they do this is by exploiting natural resources like gold, diamonds, and crude oil. They sell these resources to make money and fund their operations. It’s a sneaky way of getting what they want, and we need to put a stop to it.
But here’s the really surprising part – terrorist groups also use corporate entities to funnel money and engage in illegal financial transactions. This means that some companies may unknowingly be helping to finance terrorism. It’s a scary thought, but it’s happening.
For example, in Sierra Leone, illicit diamond mining played a major role in funding rebel groups during the civil war. The same goes for Nigeria, where crude oil mining and gold deposits have been linked to funding insurgencies and spreading insecurity. It’s shocking to think that corporate entities could be involved in such activities, but it’s a reality we need to address.
And it’s not just about funding – some technology companies, including Africa’s telecoms giant, MTN Group, have been reported to have business relationships with a terrorist organisation. This is a serious accusation, and it’s something that needs to be looked into.
So, why do corporations get involved in terrorism financing? Well, sometimes it’s because business leaders aren’t careful enough in monitoring their financial activities. Other times, it’s because of weaknesses in supply chain security or corruption within corporate organisations. It’s a complex issue, but we need to find ways to prevent it.
The impact of terrorism enablement is huge – it affects society in so many ways. Corporations, especially those in critical infrastructure sectors, can be vulnerable to attacks by terrorist groups. This has already been seen in Nigeria, where telecoms infrastructure operators have been targeted by insurgents. It’s a scary situation, and we need to find ways to protect these companies.
So, what can corporations do to mitigate the risk of being involved in terrorism enablement? They need to implement robust due diligence, compliance, and risk management measures. This includes scrutinising financial transactions, securing supply chains, enhancing cybersecurity, and promoting ethical business practices. Collaboration with law enforcement and intelligence agencies is also essential in preventing corporate involvement in terrorism enablement.
It’s a tough challenge, but it’s one that we need to tackle head-on. We can’t let terrorism continue to thrive, and we need to hold corporations accountable for their actions. It’s a big task, but it’s one that we need to take on for the safety and security of everyone.
Ismail wrote from Abuja.
[email protected]
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.