EFCC, Army, NIS join forces against terrorist financing in South-East

By Sola Ojo, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strengthened its partnership with the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to tackle terrorist financing in the South-East.

This renewed collaboration was highlighted during two key visits by the EFCC’s Acting Zonal Director of the Enugu Zonal Directorate, Assistant Commander Aisha Abubakar, on Tuesday, April 8.

Abubakar first met Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye, General Officer Commanding the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, in Enugu. She explained the visit’s purpose: “I have come here with my team to seek the usual and further enhanced collaboration in the fight against terrorist financing, economic, and financial crimes, which have become so prevalent that, either in our individual or corporate capacity, everyone has fallen victim one way or the other.”

She cited a recent joint operation in Abuja with the Army, DSS, and Police, where over 100 suspects were arrested, underscoring a unified approach to national security.

She assured Olatoye of the EFCC’s support, saying, “We do a lot of data analysis. We have a very vibrant forensics department and good analytic tools, especially for financial analysis. Whenever you have any fraud-related issues, our doors are open to assist.”

Olatoye reciprocated, pledging partnership. “We are going to be your partner in combating economic and financial crimes,” he said.

“Notify us whenever you require collaboration. If you need security advice or support, just let us know. Ours is to create the environment for your operations to succeed—all of us are working towards national security.”

Later that day, Abubakar visited Comptroller Nkechi Enobong Enete of the NIS Enugu Command. Enete affirmed the NIS’s commitment, stating, “We cannot work well and move our country forward without collaboration. I am promising on behalf of Enugu Command that wherever, however you need us, we will be there.”

Abubakar reinforced the need for teamwork: “We know that to succeed in this job, we need to come together. It’s all about one goal—the betterment, unity, and security of the Nigerian state. We have had great support from your service in monitoring and arresting suspects, and I want to leverage that to do more.”