In a major breakthrough against terrorism financing, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has arrested 11 high-level terrorist suspects in Nigeria as part of a sweeping multinational sting operation codenamed Operation Catalyst.
The two-month operation, conducted across six African nations in collaboration with AFRIPOL, exposed more than $260 million in funds believed to be linked to terrorism and a global cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme.
According to INTERPOL, “Operation Catalyst marks a significant step in disrupting the financial lifelines that sustain terrorism across Africa and beyond.”
A total of 83 suspects were arrested across the continent, with Nigeria accounting for 11 of the top-level captures. Authorities described the suspects as “key operatives involved in financing and facilitating terrorist activities.”
The operation uncovered a complex network of illicit financial flows, including a crypto Ponzi scheme spanning 17 countries, which defrauded over 100,000 victims of approximately $562 million.
INTERPOL said investigators traced several large cryptocurrency wallets that were potentially linked to terrorist organizations. “We are seeing an alarming shift toward digital currencies in terror financing,” said an INTERPOL spokesperson. “This underscores the urgent need for global cooperation and advanced digital forensics.”
AFRIPOL officials echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that “the battle against terrorism is no longer fought only on the ground but increasingly in cyberspace and financial systems.”
Analysts say the success of Operation Catalyst demonstrates the power of coordinated intelligence sharing and cross-border enforcement in tackling the financial roots of terrorism.
“By choking off their funding, we weaken their capacity to act,” an African security expert told reporters. “This operation is a wake-up call for stronger monitoring of digital financial transactions.”
The arrested suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue into the broader financial networks behind their operations.
