President Bola Tinubu has directed the security and law enforcement agencies—including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)—to intensify efforts in cracking down on cybercriminals and car thieves across the country.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Onanuga said, the President acknowledged the recent handover of 53 vehicles and $180,300 by the EFCC to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), on behalf of two Canadian citizens who were victims of cybercrimes perpetrated by Nigerian nationals.
While expressing concern over the involvement of transnational organised criminal groups in exporting stolen vehicles to Nigeria, President Tinubu commended the Commission for collaborating with partners to ensure a coordinated and professional response to this menace.
The President further directed all relevant agencies, particularly the anti-corruption agencies, to protect Nigeria’s economic and financial integrity from organised crime infiltration.
He also demanded that the value of seized and confiscated moveable assets be preserved for the state, society, and victims in line with existing legislation and international conventions.
According to the President, “Nigeria is not a destination for stolen vehicles and a haven for illicit wealth from foreign countries.”
He said, his administration remains committed to tackling money laundering, cybercrime, and other financial crimes.
