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Insecurity: EFCC Chair Olukoyede Calls for Collective Fight against Corruption

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The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has stated that corruption was the key issue promoting insecurity in the country and called for a collective fight against it.

He made this known on Tuesday, September 11, 2024, at the 2024 Annual Civil-Military Conference, organized by Civil-Military Cooperation, (CIMICO) at the National Defence College, Abuja.

Olukoyede who was represented by the Director of Public Affairs Directorate, Commander of the EFCC, CE Wilson Uwujaren stated that “Corruption is the key issue in terms of the promotion of insecurity in this nation. When people talk about insecurity and national development, one factor that is important to note is the implication of corruption on national security management and development. It is time for us to collectively fight corruption which has become a major challenge to our nation’s development. The loss of resources to corruption denies our nation the resources we should have used to provide infrastructure and digital services for our people, deepening the poverty we experience in this country,” he said.

Speaking further, the EFCC boss stated that corruption breeds poverty, which in turn makes the jobless to embrace recruitment into banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

Olukoyede pledged EFCC’s unwavering support to the armed forces in the fight against insecurity and to ensure that proceeds of crime are not deployed by rogue elements to oxygenate terrorist activities. “We will continue to monitor the flow of funds, especially in the banking sector, to ensure that illicit money doesn’t get into the hands of bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists,” he stated.

In his welcome address, Mr. Adams Otakwu, convener and founder CIMICO, urged civil society organizations to be driven by patriotism and stay off fraudulent activities. “Civil societies must be genuine and not be involved in fraudulent activities. Our role is to call public institutions to accountability, not to indulge in blackmail. That is not activism, and we must desist from that and engage in productive ventures. As civil society organizations, we are the conscious of the society; if we lose it, we lose everything. It is not about money; it is about patriotism,” he said.

The Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Morakinyo Olotu, on his part, stated that the essence of the conference was to brainstorm and bring forth solutions to the government on insecurity. “We aim to develop implementable strategies to tackle insecurity and promote national development,” he said.

The representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babatunde Bolaji Bernard, emphasized the need to reach and educate people at the grassroots level against aiding terrorists and criminal elements and for members of the public to desist from spreading fake news churned out by criminals. “We must educate them on the need not to support criminals, as some of them are conveying terrorists, buying fuel, food, and other necessities for them.”

The Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, called for a concerted effort from all Nigerians in tackling insecurity, stating that “Security affairs are everybody’s business, not just the police and other law enforcement agencies. We must join hands with the police and other law enforcement agencies to end the menace of insecurity.”

The event, themed: “Whole of Society Approach to National Security and Development,” brought together stakeholders from various sectors for the forging of solutions to insecurity in the country and the promotion of national development.

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Crime

Court Freezes $222,729 in Digital Assets Linked to Fraud

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By Abaire Olanlesi

The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim forfeiture order on digital assets worth $222,729.86, allegedly linked to fraudulent activities involving Chinese and Filipino nationals.

Justice Alexander Owoeye granted the order on Monday following an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Zeenat Atiku.

The motion was brought under Section 44(2)(B) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act No. 14, 2016.

The court directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, giving any interested parties 14 days to contest the forfeiture before the assets are permanently seized by the Federal Government.

According to an affidavit by EFCC investigator Owolabi Taiwo, the assets were suspected to have been acquired through illicit means.

Intelligence reports led to a sting operation in Lagos, resulting in the arrest of 792 suspected cybercriminals and the seizure of approximately 1,000 routers, SIM cards, computers, and mobile phones.

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Abuja Reports

Security Operatives Recover Items Worth N1b from Abuja Vandals

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By Patrick Idowu 

A joint task force consisting of the FCT Police Command, the Military, NSCDC, and NDLEA has apprehended 31 individuals suspected of vandalizing public infrastructure across Abuja.

The suspects were found with stolen items, including cables and electrical components, valued at over one billion naira.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, revealed that the stolen materials had caused significant disruptions, particularly affecting areas like Dawaki, Mpape, Nyanya, and Karu, which have experienced prolonged blackouts. He added that officials from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed that the recovered items were taken from multiple electricity stations.

Other items recovered include 115 stolen manhole covers, five motorcycles, transformer parts, industrial scaffoldings, bundles of cables, and solar batteries.

Security forces also targeted scavenger colonies and scrap yards, known as “Pantakers,” where stolen public assets were dismantled for resale.

Recent raids conducted on 24th and 26th January in Zuba and Diko led to the recovery of stolen vehicle documents, industrial batteries, and cables.

A subsequent raid on 28th January in Dape Village resulted in the demolition of illegal structures to reclaim public assets.

Sixteen of the arrested suspects have been charged for criminal conspiracy and mischief.

Disu emphasized that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat vandalism and protect critical infrastructure in the FCT and neighboring areas, warning that security forces will continue their crackdown on criminal activities targeting public utilities.

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Crime

Bago Warns Against Rising Explosives, Firearms Use among Miners

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By Alexis Uchendu

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has warned of escalating security risks in Niger State due to the rising use of firearms and explosives among artisanal miners.

This follows a deadly dynamite explosion in Sabon-Pegi, Mashegu Local Government Area, that killed three and injured several others.

Bago, visiting the site of the explosion, described it as tragic and preventable.

He highlighted the state’s rich gold and lithium deposits as attracting illegal miners who store explosives and weapons, exacerbating security threats.

The governor urged locals to surrender dangerous materials to a designated security committee for safe storage.

He also announced a N174 million relief package for the victims.

Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, condemned the incident as avoidable and called for intensified awareness campaigns.

The explosion affected 69 people, destroying houses and vehicles.

In response, the Mashegu LGA has imposed a temporary mining ban, with calls for neighboring Magama LGA to follow suit.

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