By Temitope Mustapha, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has affirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling money laundering, cybercrime, and other financial crimes in Nigeria.
The President 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 individuals in possession of and trafficking in stolen vehicles.
President Tinubu issued the directive in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga while acknowledging the recent handover of 53 vehicles and $180,300 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), on behalf of two Canadian citizens who were victims of cybercrimes perpetrated by Nigerian nationals.
The President 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.
President Tinubu who strongly affirmed that Nigeria is not a destination for stolen vehicles and a haven for illicit wealth from foreign countries also directed all relevant agencies, particularly the anti-corruption agencies, to protect Nigeria’s economic and financial integrity from organized crime infiltration.
The Nigerian Leader further noted that one of the most effective tools available to law enforcement agencies is depriving criminals of the proceeds from their illicit activities.
While expressing concern over the involvement of transnational organized criminal groups in exporting stolen vehicles to Nigeria, President Tinubu commended the Commission for collaborating with partners to ensure a coordinated and professional repose to the menace.
The President further pledged Nigeria’s continued collaboration with international partners to ensure that cyber criminals and organized crime groups involved in transnational car thefts are deprived of the benefits of their illegal activities.
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