*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commends the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for returning $180,000 crime proceeds and 53 vehicles to the Canadian Police authorities, directing the security and law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts at cracking down on individuals in possession of and trafficking in stolen vehicles in Nigeria

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Federal Government of Nigeria has vowed to continue to work with the country鈥檚 international partners to ensure that cybercriminals and other organised crime groups involved in transnational car thefts are deprived of the benefits of their illegal activities.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who stated this Sunday, September 22, 2024, in Abuja, FCT, also directed the relevant security and law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigeria Police (NPF) and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), to intensify efforts at cracking down on individuals in possession of and trafficking in stolen vehicles in Nigeria.

Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of EFCC (far right) handing over a document on recovered 53 stolen vehicles and $180,300 to representatives of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in Abuja

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement said President Tinubu also noted that one of the most effective tools available to law enforcement agencies is depriving criminals of the proceeds from their illicit activities.

The Nigerian leader equally acknowledged the EFCC鈥檚 recent handover of 53 vehicles and $180,300 to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), on behalf of two Canadian citizens who were victims of cybercrimes perpetrated by some Nigerian nationals.

Expressing concern over the involvement of transnational organised criminal groups in exporting stolen vehicles to the West African country, Tinubu applauded the Commission for collaborating with partners to ensure a coordinated and professional repose to the menace.

Onanuga disclosed the President further directed all relevant agencies, especially the anti-corruption agencies, to protect Nigeria’s economic and financial integrity from organised crime infiltration.

The President as well demanded that the value of confiscated moveable assets be preserved for the state, society, and victims in line with existing legislation and international conventions.

Tinubu further strongly affirmed that “Nigeria is not a destination for stolen vehicles and a haven for illicit wealth from foreign countries. ”

The current administration remains committed to tackling money laundering, cybercrime, and other financial crimes, stated the President.

How collaborations, commitment have resulted in lots of recoveries: EFCC Chairman

绿帽献妻 reports Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of EFCC, Friday, September 6 handed over the recovered $180,300 and 53 vehicles, being assets recovered for Canadian victims of Nigerian fraudsters, to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in Abuja.

The anti-graft regulatory Commission had stated the One Hundred and Sixty-four Thousand US Dollars ($164,000) of the recovered cash assets belong to a victim, identified as Elena Bogomas while $16,300 (Sixteen Thousand, Three Hundred US Dollar) belong to another victim known as Sandra Butler.

鈥淭he recovered 53 vehicles were stolen over a period of time in Canada, freighted to Nigeria and distributed to multiple locations in Nigeria by the criminal elements,鈥� EFCC noted in a statement posted on its corporate Web site.

Representing the RCMP in the handover ceremony, performed the Chairman鈥檚 Conference Room, EFCC Corporate Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja were Robert Aboumitri, First Secretary, Deputy High Commission of Canada and Nasser Salihou, Liason Officer and Programme Manager, RCMP.

The Commission said Olukoyede, who was elated by the successes of EFCC鈥檚 collaborations with the RCMP noted that the efforts that led to the recoveries and the handover ceremony spoke strongly to the fact that the Nigerian government was intolerant of fraud and corruption.

It further said: 鈥淲e are here today to witness the handing over of assets recovered on behalf of the Canadian victims of cybercrime. What the EFCC is doing today is on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

鈥淭his is to demonstrate that the government of Nigeria will never and for whatever reason tolerate any act of financial crime.鈥�

The anti-corruption agency stated: 鈥淚t is a demonstration of the fact that President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed has given us the mandate to extend our hands of fellowship and collaboration with you to ensure that this particular problem is resolved.

鈥淭he Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP, has been collaborating with us and that commitment has resulted in a lot of recoveries.鈥�

The agency also explained that 鈥渢he operation took a couple of years and eventually it resulted in substantial recoveries.鈥�

Olukoyede said: So, we deem it necessary to let our colleagues and our friends from the Canadian Royal Mounted Police know that as an agency, EFCC, and as a country, we are always ready to fight financial crimes.

鈥淣igeria is not, shouldn鈥檛 necessarily be seen as a hub, it鈥檚 a transit camp, the way Canada is a transit camp and most countries across the world because they move from one jurisdiction to another.鈥�

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