EFCC, NDLEA Synergize On Financial Crime, Drug War

By Ayodele Oni

The war against financial crimes and drugs received a boost as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), expressed readiness to foster relationship in combating money laundering and drug related crimes.

The synergy between the two Federal Government agencies received a boost on Tuesday, when the Kwara State Commander of the NDLEA, Ibrahim Saidu, led his Management Team on a courtesy visit to the Ilorin Zonal Commander of the EFCC,  Michael Nzekwe.

Explaining the purpose of the visit, Mr. Saidu said it was to strengthen ties and help the two agencies deliver on their mandates.

“We are delighted to be here today. We have a lot to do together. The two agencies are mutually engaged in the business of securing Nigeria against fraud and I have told my officers not to be after drug related offences only, but to also be watchful and report evidence of money laundering to the EFCC.

“Not long ago, we had some of our officers trained at the EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja. That is part of the synergy that we are talking about. We are currently building the capacity of our men on money laundering, while boosting their competence in tackling drug related offences.”

The NDLEA boss used the occasion to inform his EFCC counterpart of the recently launched War Against Drug Abuse, (WADA), by President Muhammadu Buhari and called for support of the Commission in intensifying the campaign.

He also pledged his agency’s support for the EFCC, saying his officers were prepared to offer training assistance to the Commission’s staff at the Ilorin Zonal Command on the dangers of drug abuse and drug peddling.

Responding, Nzekwe noted that the two agencies have more areas of convergence in their respective statutory mandates, especially terrorism financing and money laundering.

The Zonal Commander disclosed that synergy and collaboration are critical in its fight against economic and financial crimes adding that the Ilorin Command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that corruption is reduced to the barest minimum in the three States under its control.

“As brothers in the service of our Fatherland, we need to work together to ensure a well secured Nigeria because without Nigeria, there will neither be EFCC nor NDLEA.

“We should not get lost in the crowd. We need to be in contact from time to time to share ideas on how we can reduce drug abuse and other forms of criminality to the barest minimum.”