Victor Ezeja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have agreed to join forces against illegal mining, illegal oil bunkering and tax evasion in Enugu State.
According to a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the agreement for collaboration was reached on Thursday, March 28, 2024 when the Commandant of the NSCDC in Enugu State, Otoibhi Ehi Cyprian, paid a courtesy visit to the Enugu Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Aliyu Nuhu Naibi in his office.
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While receiving his guest, Naibi called for robust synergy between the EFCC and the NSCDC in tackling illegal mining, illegal oil bunkering and tax evasion in the state. According to him, Enugu state will fare better with a working liaison between the EFCC and NSCDC to tackle the three economic crimes which he likened to economic sabotage.
He said: “Illegal mining, Illegal oil bunkering and tax evasion, these are very crucial types of economic sabotage that we at the EFCC are seriously battling. With you, we can strategize and develop intelligence together and deal with the menace for the betterment of the people of this state.”
Naibi further noted that most illegal miners are being used for money laundering and tax evasion. “You can refer such cases to us like tax evasion. If a company is involved in mining, whether it is legal or illegal, we want to know whether it is paying tax. That is an area of concern to us. We also want to know if the company is being used to launder money because some of them hide under mining and you will see a lot of money passing through the company but the truth of the matter is that they are laundering money for other people,” he stated.
The EFCC Enugu Zonal Commander urged the NSCDC’s boss to deepen intelligence sharing with the EFCC. emphasising that, “You may go to do your own work and in the process of doing your work, you see what concerns us as well, you tell us and we will act immediately.”
Earlier in his speech, Cyprian said he was in the Enugu Command to seek partnership and collaboration to enable him succeed in the state. “The essence of my visit is to seek synergy, collaboration and effective cooperation. I’m here to partner and solicit closer relationships in order for us to secure our mandates and also sustain our existing relationship,” he said.
