The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding? (15 Marks)

Terrorism uses violence or its threat to create fear and achieve political objectives; an effective response must combine prevention, intelligence, justice and resilience.

Solutions

• Strengthen intelligence fusion, police modernisation, border and coastal security, cyber monitoring and inter-agency coordination.
• Disrupt recruitment through community engagement, counter-radicalisation, education and credible online narratives.
• Improve prosecution through lawful investigation, witness protection, speedy courts and safeguards against profiling.
• Address governance deficits, conflict grievances and illicit cross-border infrastructure while maintaining human rights.
• Deepen international cooperation on extradition, information sharing, sanctions and mutual legal assistance.

Funding sources

• State sponsorship, extortion, kidnapping, protection money and taxation in controlled territory.
• Narcotics, arms, wildlife and human trafficking, counterfeit currency and illegal mining.
• Charities, front organisations, hawala, cash couriers, shell entities and misuse of digital assets or crowdfunding.

Financial intelligence, beneficial-ownership transparency, FIU coordination and FATF-aligned controls must complement kinetic measures.

Keywords: terrorism; counter-terrorism; terrorist financing.