WorldStage– The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps (NAIC) have agreed to deepen collaboration against terrorist financing, and other forms of financial crimes that threaten national security.
This was agreed on Tuesday, when the Chief of Military Intelligence, Major General Aliyu Abbas Idris, led officers of NAIC on a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede at the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
In his remarks, Major General Idris disclosed that the visit was to strengthen the existing ties between the EFCC and NAIC and to seek new areas of cooperation in the fight against financial and security crimes. “We are here to seek your support and work on areas of collaboration. Even though the support has always been there, but been appointed as the Chief of Military Intelligence, it is the tradition to pay visit and present myself that I’m here now and would like to have all the support that you have been giving the NAIC family and for it to also be extended to me, or to continue as it has always been,” he said.
He noted the alignment between the EFCC’s mandate and that of military security operations, emphasizing that the battle against terrorism requires joint efforts across institutions. “Sir, I know your role in the national security structure. Somehow, your role is always the same as ours. Because of that, I’m here to seek more areas of collaboration,” he said.
The army intelligence chief, while reflecting on Nigeria’s progress in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, recalled the days of frequent terrorist attacks in Nigeria’s major cities.
“When Boko Haram started, their activities were widespread in Lokoja, with bombings in Abuja, Madalla, Nyanya, Kano, Kaduna, among others. Over the last 16 years, the military, your Commission, and other agencies have been able to push Boko Haram to a small corner in the Northeast. Even in the Northeast, it is now limited to parts of Borno State, around the Lake Chad area, the Mandara Mountains, and the Sambisa Forest,” he said.
He expressed concern over the resilience of the terrorists, citing financial support as a key factor in their sustained operations. “Even strong countries like the US and Russia understand that waging war is not a small thing. It’s very expensive. So, you wonder how a non-state actor has been waging war with a strong nation like Nigeria for 16 years and counting. That tells you there is funding somewhere. We have to put our hands together to fight this menace,” he said.
According to him, recent intelligence suggests that terrorists have shifted their funding models to trade-based mechanisms, making collaboration with the EFCC essential. “In military intelligence, we have started pursuing these guys and realized they are funding this war through trade-based processes. Without collaboration with a Commission like the EFCC, it will be difficult for us. We don’t have the kind of capacity or training you have to look at these areas and achieve our goals,” he said.
He further proposed a joint research initiative between NAIC and the EFCC to study and dismantle the financial networks sustaining terrorist groups and other criminal organizations.
Olukoyede in his response commended NAIC for the visit, describing it as timely and essential in strengthening national security cooperation. “It is important for security and law enforcement agencies to extend this kind of visit to themselves. The fight against terrorism and insurgency is not for one agency or the military formation. It is extremely important for us to work together and collaborate to strengthen our synergy,” he said.
He assured the delegation of the Commission’s full support in intelligence sharing and operational assistance. “Rest assured, sir, that we are going to give you all the necessary support. There’s a need for us to exchange intelligence from time to time, compare notes, and if there are areas we need you to come in, we’ll let you know, that’s a promise from us. We are not just doing this for ourselves, but for the nation,” he said. While reiterating the Commission’s commitment to national service, Olukoyede noted that collaboration among security institutions was vital to fulfilling the mandate entrusted to them as leaders by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“At all times, we must make the country and Mr. President, who has given us this privilege to serve, know that we are working together for the nation. On this note, we pledge our support for you and your team,” he said.
