In a bid to combat terrorism funding and bolster national security, General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, welcomed Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
During the meeting, General Musa emphasized the importance of tracking terrorism financing, highlighting it as a crucial non-kinetic approach in the global fight against terrorism.
He commended Mr. Olukoyede’s innovative use of technology to combat corruption and economic crimes, stressing the military’s zero-tolerance stance towards corruption.
The CDS underscored the collaboration between the Armed Forces and stakeholders like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in combating oil theft.
He expressed concerns over challenges such as legal loopholes and delayed prosecution of suspects, proposing solutions like census-taking and CCTV installations to enhance transparency and security measures.
In response, Mr. Olukoyede reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to collaboration, citing the importance of collective responsibility in tackling corruption.
He highlighted the Commission’s achievements in recovering substantial amounts of misappropriated funds and uncovering governance irregularities.
The EFCC Chairman sought the continued support of the Armed Forces to fulfill the Commission’s mandate effectively.
The visit concluded with an interactive session between senior military officers and EFCC officials, symbolized by the exchange of souvenirs and group photographs.
The collaboration between the Chief of Defence Staff and the EFCC Chairman signals a united front in addressing the multifaceted challenges of corruption and terrorism funding, underscoring the importance of inter-agency cooperation in safeguarding Nigeria’s national security and economic well-being.
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