Chief of Defence Staff Urges EFCC to Intensify Efforts in Tracking Terrorism Funding

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has emphasized the importance of tracking terrorism funding in Nigeria as a crucial step in combating terrorism globally.

He made this call during a meeting with the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, in Abuja.

Gen. Musa highlighted the findings of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa, which revealed that terrorists employ various means, both legitimate and illegitimate, to raise and move funds.

He expressed concern over the lack of sufficient capacity within law enforcement, regulatory agencies, security, intelligence services, and the judiciary to effectively tackle terrorism financing.

During the meeting, Gen. Musa urged the EFCC to assist in tracing funds associated with terrorism.

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He also raised concerns about the delays in prosecuting suspects due to what he described as a “soft” legal system, which he identified as a major challenge for the military.

The Chief of Defence Staff emphasized the need for enhanced security measures, including the installation of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras at strategic locations, to combat crime effectively.

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He also stressed the importance of leveraging collaboration with stakeholders like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to combat oil theft.

Gen. Musa reaffirmed the military’s commitment to maintaining zero tolerance for corruption, citing the adoption of General Court Martial proceedings to address misconduct within the Armed Forces.

In response, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede underscored the urgency of winning the war against corruption, which he deemed detrimental to the nation’s economy and reputation.

He warned of potential jeopardy if decisive action is not taken within the next decade.

Olukoyede emphasized the need for collective responsibility in combating corruption, urging collaboration between the EFCC, the military, and other security agencies.

He stressed that the fight against corruption should be a shared endeavor and called for cognitive responsibility from all stakeholders to address the menace effectively.