Track Terrorism Funding In Nigeria, CDS To EFCC

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has tasked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to track sources of funding for terrorists and terrorist organisations in the country.

The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa stated in a report titled “Terrorist Financing in West Africa” that terrorists and terrorist organisations use both legitimate and illegitimate means to raise funds, and formal and informal channels to move cash around.

This, he said, was one of the means of combatting terrorism globally.

The organisation stated that law enforcement and regulatory agencies, security and intelligence services, and the judiciary lack the requisite capacity to effectively address the challenge of terrorism and terrorism financing.

The CDS, however, urged the EFCC to help in tracing funds related to terrorism.

A statement on Friday by the Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, stated that the CDS spoke when the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, visited him in Abuja.

Musa also described the legal system of the country as “soft”, lamenting that the system is delaying the prosecution of suspects.

According to him, the delay experienced in the prosecution of suspects had become one of the major challenges for the military.

The statement partly read, “The CDS called for the tracking of terrorism funding in Nigeria, being one of the non-kinetic means of fighting terrorism across the globe.

“The CDS further informed the Chairman of the Anti-Graft body that AFN synergises with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and other stakeholders to fight oil theft in the country.

“He lamented that the issues of blocking loopholes brought about by the siphoning of oil and the soft legal system which delays the prosecution of suspects have been major challenges.”

The CDS also called for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras at strategic locations, adding that it would help in the fight against crime in the country.

“He harped on the use of census, and installation of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras in strategic points to contain cases of corruption, terrorism, and other forms of insecurity in the country,” Musa said.

He noted that the military had zero tolerance for corrupt practices.

“The AFN adopts the proceedings of a General Court Martial to checkmate culpable personnel, ” the CDS added.

Musa, however, urged the EFCC boss to encourage public officeholders and other Nigerians in positions of authority to uphold good governance to forestall economic breakdown and insecurity.

Speaking, Olukoyede stated that the war against corruption must be won as the menace has destroyed the nation’s economy and at the same time dented the image of the country.

He warned that if drastic measures are not taken, the country would be put into jeopardy in the next 10 years.

“As a means to mitigate the menace caused by corruption and insecurity, the chairman posited that cognitive responsibility has to be embraced by the military and other security agencies, adding that the war against corruption should be seen as everybody’s business. Furthermore, he said EFCC, the military, and other security agencies have to join forces in fighting corruption, ” the statement added.