*Lauds EFCC For Returning $180,000, 53 Vehicles To Canada
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has directed security and law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), to intensify the crack down on individuals involved in trafficking in stolen vehicles, assuring that his administration would continue to work with its international partners to ensure that cyber criminals and organised crime groups involved in transnational car thefts are deprived of the benefits of their illegal activities.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, September 22, quoted Tinubu as affirming that his administration remains committed to tackling money laundering, cybercrime and other financial crimes, saying: “Nigeria is not a destination for stolen vehicles and a haven for illicit wealth from foreign countries.”
Tinubu observed that one of the most effective tools available to law enforcement agencies is depriving criminals of the proceeds from their illicit activities, acknowledging the recent handover of 53 vehicles and $180,300 by EFCC to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on behalf of two Canadian citizens, who were victims of cybercrimes perpetrated by Nigerian nationals.
While expressing concern over the involvement of transnational organised criminal groups in exporting stolen vehicles to Nigeria, the President commended the Commission for collaborating with partners to ensure a coordinated and professional repose to this menace.
He further directed all relevant agencies, particularly the anti-corruption agencies, to protect Nigeria’s economic and financial integrity from organised crime infiltration.
The President also demanding that the value of seized and confiscated moveable assets be preserved for the state, society and victims, in line with existing legislation and international conventions.
