On Sunday, President Bola Tinubu issued a directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Ports Authority, and other security and law enforcement agencies, urging them to step up their efforts in combating individuals involved in the possession and trafficking of stolen vehicles. The president emphasized the importance of cracking down on this illegal activity, which undermines the nation’s security and international reputation.
This directive follows the recent handover of 53 recovered vehicles and $180,300 by the EFCC to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, intended for two Canadian citizens who were victims of cybercrime orchestrated by Nigerian nationals. Tinubu acknowledged the significance of this gesture, praising the EFCC for its cooperation with international partners in ensuring a thorough and professional response to the issue of cybercrime and cross-border car theft.
Through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘President Tinubu orders crackdown on cyber criminals, transnational car thieves,’ Tinubu applauded the Commission for its diligent efforts and called for greater coordination between security agencies to curb such criminal activities.
In his remarks, the president firmly stated, “Nigeria will not be a destination for stolen vehicles or a safe haven for illicit wealth from foreign countries.” He stressed the need for continued vigilance and international collaboration to protect Nigeria’s borders from criminal exploitation.
