By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC have agreed to enhance their collaboration in the fight against illegal oil bunkering, illegal mining and other economic crimes in the Niger Delta region.
The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, in a statement issued on Friday, said the agreement was reached on Thursday, May 30, 2024 when the Zonal Commander, NSCDC Zone L, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Assistant Commandant General, Ayinla Taiwo Olowo, led a delegation of his officers to the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the EFCC on a courtesy visit.
Olowo expressed NSCDC’s readiness to work with the Commission against economic sabotage and for the protection of the nation’s critical infrastructure and natural mineral resources in the region, and appreciated the resilience and efforts of the EFCC in the anti-corruption fight.
He also expressed his desire for the robust synergy that has existed between the two institutions to be sustained for the betterment of this country “because we all have a duty to make sure that this country is delivered from all infractions so that we will make progress”.
In his response, the Acting Zonal Director of EFCC, Port Harcourt Command, ACE 1, Adebayo Adeniyi, expressed delight over the visit and thanked the NSCDC team for its desire to enhance the collaboration both agencies of government have had over the years. He promised that the EFCC would be ready to work with the NSCDC for the interest of the country.
Adeniyi reiterated the critical role that synergy between agencies play in achieving success.
“I believe we will be achieving a lot of things together. You talked about illegal mining, we do a lot of investigations that relate to it and money laundering is also one of the crimes we investigate. Once you make an arrest and the matter is related to what we prosecute, you can hand it over to us for prosecution,” he said.
