Interpol Arrests 300 Members of Nigerian Black Axe Criminal Network

In a significant international crackdown, Interpol has apprehended over 300 individuals associated with the infamous Black Axe criminal syndicate, which originated in Nigeria.

The arrests were conducted as part of Operation Jackal III, a meticulously coordinated effort that spanned 21 countries from April to July 2024. According to reports from the BBC, this initiative targeted the extensive operations of Black Axe, a network linked to cybercrime and financial fraud.

Tomonobu Kaya, a senior official at Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, emphasized the group’s adeptness in utilizing modern technologies. He noted, “They are very organized and very structured, these criminal syndicates are early adopters of new technologies. A lot of fintech developments make it really easy to illegally move money around the world.”

The technological capabilities of Black Axe have enabled it to persist as a formidable force in the global arena, posing substantial challenges for international law enforcement.

Operation Jackal III, characterized by its effectiveness, resulted in the seizure of approximately $3 million in illegal assets and the freezing of over 700 bank accounts. This collaborative initiative has also facilitated the sharing of crucial intelligence across Interpol’s 196 member countries, aiding in the understanding and counteraction of Black Axe’s strategies.

Experts, including Dr. Oluwole Ojewale from the Institute for Security Studies, stress the importance of focusing on preventive measures. He indicated that the ongoing governance challenges in Nigeria contribute to the recruitment of individuals into groups like Black Axe, stating, “The general failure of governance in the country has put pressure on people to be initiated into Black Axe.”

Initially conceived as a confraternity at the University of Benin in Nigeria to promote African culture, Black Axe has evolved into a formidable global criminal entity involved in various illicit activities, chiefly cyber-enabled financial fraud. Interpol reports that the group accounts for a significant portion of global cyber-financial crimes.

Operations targeting Black Axe have intensified globally, with prior significant arrests uncovering extensive money-laundering schemes. In a notable incident in 2017, authorities in Canada revealed a $5 billion money-laundering operation connected to Black Axe.