CDS Hosts EFCC Chairman, Advocates for Tracking of Terrorism Funding in the Country

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), General Christopher Musa has called for the tracking of terrorism funding in Nigeria, being one of non-kinetic means of fighting terrorism across the globe.

A statement by
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau,
Acting Director Defence Information on Friday, in Abuja disclosed that General Musa made the call when he recently played host to the Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede in his office at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja.

According to Brigadier General Gusau, “while congratulating him on his appointment as the EFCC boss, the CDS gave an assurance that the AFN will not derail from its commitment to ensure the survival of current democratic dispensation.

“He commended the EFCC Chairman for his unique approach of leveraging on the potentials of technology to fight corruption and other forms of economic crimes.

“He noted that the AFN has zero tolerance for corrupt practices, as such, it adopts the proceedings of a General Court Martial (GCM) to checkmate culpable personnel.” the statement read in part.

General Musa in the statement, further urged the EFCC boss to encourage public office holders and other Nigerians in positions of authority to uphold good governance to forestall economic breakdown and insecurity.

The CDS also informed the Chairman of the Anti-Graft body that AFN synergizes with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other stakeholders to fight oil theft in the country.

He lamented that the issues of blocking loopholes brought about by siphoning of oil and soft legal system which delays prosecution of suspects have been major challenges.

He harped on the use of census, installation of CCTV Cameras in strategic points to contain cases of corruption, terrorism and other forms of insecurity in the country.

He encouraged Mr Olukoyede to keep up his good work and remain assured of the suppot and cooperation of the AFN.

Earlier in his remarks at the visit, the EFCC Chairman stated that he was in the DHQ to explore avenues of cooperation and collaboration in the ongoing fight against corruption in the country. Mr Olukoyede recalled that on assumption of office, he laid so much emphasis on the need for Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of collaboration, being a key to winning the war against corruption.

He pointed out that the war against corruption must be won as the menace has destroyed the nation’s economy and at same time dented her good image.

He strongly warned that if drastic measures are not taken to nip it in the bud, the country would be put into a jeopardy in the next 10 years.

As  a means to mitigate the menace caused by corruption and insecurity, the Chairman posited that cognitive responsibility has to be embraced by the military and other security agencies, adding that the war against corruption  should be seen as everbody's business.

Furthermore, he said EFCC, military and other security agencies have to join forces in fighting corruption.

He revealed that the Commission recorded salient achievements in the course of fighting economic crimes within the space of time he has been in office.

Prominent among these, he stated, include the recovery of funds running into billions and trillions of Naira carted away from the nation’s treasury.

Also, he disclosed that a lot of lessons were learnt in the course of fighting corruption in the country.

According to him, irregularity associated with cutting of corners in the process of awarding contracts and procurements, bad system of governance were uncovered.

The helmsman of EFCC therefore solicited the support and cooperation of the AFN to enable EFCC continue to carry out its statutory duties.

Highlights of the visit featured interactive session among senior military officers and EFCC officials present at the occasion, exchange of souvenirs by the CDS and EFCC Chairman and group photographs.

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