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At the 2024 Annual Civil-Military Conference organized by Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMICO) at the National Defence College in Abuja, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, represented by Commander Wilson Uwujaren, Director of Public Affairs Directorate, committed to addressing Nigeria’s rising insecurity and banditry by targeting corruption and illicit financial flows.
KEY POINTS:
- EFCC’S STRATEGY: Olukoyede outlined the EFCC’s strategy to collaborate with the armed forces to curb insecurity linked to corruption. He emphasized that corruption fuels poverty, which drives individuals towards banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.
- BLOCKING ILLEGAL FUNDS: The EFCC aims to disrupt the financial channels that fund criminal activities by monitoring and blocking illicit funds, particularly within the banking sector. This move is intended to diminish the financial incentives for such crimes.
- IMPACT OF CORRUPTION: The EFCC stressed that corruption undermines national security and development by depleting resources that could be used for infrastructure and services. This exacerbates poverty, further contributing to insecurity.
- CALL TO ACTION: Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, urged all Nigerians to participate in combating insecurity, highlighting that security is a collective responsibility.
- CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES: Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Morakinyo Olotu, Commandant of the National Defence College, noted that the conference aimed to develop practical strategies to address insecurity and foster national development.
- CIVIL SOCIETY ROLE: Conference convener Adams Otakwu called on civil society organizations to uphold patriotism and accountability, avoiding fraudulent activities and focusing on constructive engagement.
CONCLUSION: The EFCC’s commitment to tackling corruption as a means to fight insecurity represents a strategic approach to addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges. The conference underscored the importance of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to enhance national security and development.