President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fighting cybercrime and transnational car theft syndicates, directing the nation’s security agencies to strengthen efforts in cracking down on individuals involved in these illegal activities. In a bid to safeguard the nation’s financial integrity, the President has ordered increased cooperation between law enforcement bodies and international partners.
The President’s directive comes on the heels of a significant development in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently handed over 53 vehicles and $180,300 to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), in restitution to two Canadian citizens defrauded by Nigerian cybercriminals. The move highlights Nigeria’s ongoing collaboration with foreign governments to tackle the growing menace of cyber-enabled transnational crimes.
“Nigeria will continue to work with its international partners to ensure that cybercriminals and organized crime groups involved in transnational car thefts are deprived of the benefits of their illegal activities,” President Tinubu said, stressing the importance of cooperation between nations in combating these threats.
In addition to the EFCC, agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have been instructed to escalate their efforts in identifying and prosecuting individuals who possess or traffic stolen vehicles into the country. The President emphasized that a key strategy in dismantling criminal organizations is depriving them of the proceeds from their illicit activities.
President Tinubu also voiced concerns over the growing role of international criminal syndicates in exporting stolen vehicles to Nigeria, commending the EFCC for its collaboration with the RCMP. He noted that these criminal activities not only harm individual victims but also threaten the nation’s economic stability and global reputation.
The President further directed all anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to ensure that any seized and confiscated assets are preserved for the benefit of the state, society, and victims, in accordance with both Nigerian law and international conventions. “Nigeria is not a destination for stolen vehicles and a haven for illicit wealth from foreign countries,” President Tinubu firmly declared.
In closing, the President reiterated his administration’s dedication to tackling money laundering, cybercrime, and other financial crimes, affirming that Nigeria’s economic and financial systems must be shielded from organized crime infiltration. His call for stronger anti-corruption measures highlights a broader commitment to upholding Nigeria’s integrity on the international stage.
