The Black Axe criminal network is infamous in West Africa. In a historic worldwide effort, police services from around the world have coordinated a number of covert operations to bring it down. The global threat posed by this organized crime organization has been highlighted by the considerable arrests and asset seizures that have resulted from this concerted endeavor, Operation Jackal III.
Op Jackal III: A Globally Coordinated Effort
A total of 300 people with ties to Black Axe or its affiliates were apprehended in a string of raids conducted by law enforcement authorities from 21 nations between April and July 2024. These carefully planned operations represent a major step forward in the continuous fight against transnational organized crime, according to Interpol. Despite Interpol’s praise for Operation Jackal III, the worldwide police agency warned that Black Axe’s technological prowess and global influence mean they still constitute a danger to the world.
Black Axe’s International Influence
The Nigerian criminal organization Black Axe has grown into a strong force on a worldwide scale. Its operations cover a wide range of illicit activities, from prostitution and human trafficking to violent crimes. Cybercrime, especially financial fraud, is still its most lucrative activity. Black Axe and related organizations are accountable for a significant amount of global cyber-enabled financial crime, according to an Interpol report from 2022. The ease with which the gang is able to transfer funds across borders is brought to light in this study by their mastery of financial technology and cryptocurrency.
The massive scope of Black Axe’s activities was demonstrated in 2017 when Canadian police discovered a $5 billion money-laundering scheme associated with the group. Interpol senior officer Tomonobu Kaya highlighted the group’s organizational structure and strategic use of technology, highlighting that they are often early adopters of new technologies that facilitate illicit activity.
The Swiss police were pictured carefully going through the contents of a property they had raided.
Black Axe’s History: From a Cult to the International Mafia
The Black Axe gang has evolved from a deadly cult into something akin to the international mafia. It frequently recruits members while they are still in college therefore, many of its members have advanced degrees. Because of its strict structure and penchant for secrecy, the group is difficult for law enforcement to penetrate. Operation Jackal III resulted in a large number of arrests. Still, experts caution that the group’s pervasive influence throughout West Africa, along with pervasive poverty and corruption, is what keeps it growing.
Operation Jackal III’s Effects
Years of planning culminated in Operation Jackal III, which froze more than 700 bank accounts and seized illicit assets worth $3 million. Although Black Axe’s financial network has taken a major hit as a result of these efforts, the battle is far from done. In addition, the operation helped Interpol collect a mountain of intelligence, which is currently being disseminated across its 196 member nations. If we want to know how Black Axe and similar groups operate, we need this intelligence. Then, we can intervene more effectively and precisely in the future.
How Technology Affects Contemporary Criminal Behavior
The advent of financial technology and cryptocurrency has complicated the fight against organized crime. Black Axe and other criminal syndicates have benefited from these technological advancements, which have shaken up the world economy. Law enforcement agencies across the globe face a serious adversary in this organization due to their expertise in illicitly employing this technology.
In light of these threats, Interpol has introduced innovative solutions, such as the I-GRIP system for the Global Rapid Intervention of Payments. The system allows member countries’ authorities to swiftly block bank accounts, making it much more difficult for criminals to transfer money across borders. As an example of its efficacy in fighting cybercrime, I-GRIP was just used to stop a $40 million scam that was aimed at a Singaporean company.
The Prolonged Struggle Against International Crime
Operation Jackal III may have been successful, but the fight against criminal organizations like Black Axe in West Africa is far from ending. Experts say that a comprehensive strategy that gets to the bottom of what makes this area so dangerous is necessary. The Institute for Security Studies’ West Africa Regional Coordinator, Dr. Oluwole Ojewale, says that law enforcement activities shouldn’t take precedence over prevention efforts. The widespread corruption and poverty in Nigeria, where Black Axe mainly recruits, remain formidable challenges in the battle against organized crime.
It is also unclear how successful anti-crime efforts have been in the area due to claims of collaboration between Black Axe and Nigerian officials. It is more difficult to dismantle the syndicate, as Dr. Ojewale points out because certain politicians are helping to arm and fund these criminal groups.
Where the Jackal Operations of Interpol Came From
The 2020 Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) searches in Ireland revealed a large network of Black Axe members, which is where Interpol’s Jackal Operations originated. The magnitude of Black Axe’s operations in Ireland was exposed by the hundreds of arrests made for fraud and cybercrime as a result of these raids. Leading the operation was Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan, who characterized the gang as “very under the radar” and brought attention to the enormous sums of money being laundered through Ireland.
As part of their ongoing crackdown on Black Axe, the Irish police have discovered the increasing involvement of Bitcoin in the criminal organization’s money-laundering activities. The necessity for law enforcement to keep up with technical developments in financial crime was highlighted in November 2023, when over €1 million worth of crypto-assets were confiscated during a police operation.
Conclusion: Fighting Black Axe on a Global Scale
Although Black Axe has taken a major hit as a result of Operation Jackal III, the war against this international criminal organization is far from over. Both the group’s operations and future attempts to combat transnational organized crime have been aided by the important intelligence gathered throughout the operation. To effectively demolish Black Axe and related groups, a multipronged strategy is required to tackle issues such as poverty, corruption, and the fast development of financial technology.
