CDS Musa Speaks Tough, Urges EFCC To Intensify Effort In Tracking Terrorism Funding

By Akinwale Kasali

Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defense Staff, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to intensify its effort in tracking terrorism funding in the country, stressing that this is a means of curbing Terrorism globally.

Musa added that the EFCC needs to further beam its searchlight by tracing funds related to terrorism.

A statement by the Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau,  stated that the CDS said this  during a visit to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, 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 reads:

“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 office holders and other Nigerians in positions of authority to uphold good governance to forestall economic breakdown and insecurity.

Tye EFCC Chairman, 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.