Obiora Ifoh and Jonas Ezieke, Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS) has been inundated with inquiries about Tukur Manu, the self-proclaimed Kaduna Train hostage negotiator. This is to confirm that Manu, as a person of interest, was apprehended by Nigeria’s foreign partners on September 6, 2022, in Cairo, Egypt, on his way to Saudi Arabia.
Dr Peter Afunanya, a spokesman for the Service, said in a statement to reporters that he was returned to the country today, September 7, 2022, and taken into the Service’s custody.
The act he said followed a request by Nigeria’s Military, Law Enforcement and Intelligence Community to their foreign partners to bring back Manu to the country to answer critical questions on ongoing investigations relating to some security matters in parts of the country.
The public he added may wish to note that the law will appropriately take its course.
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sought for collaboration with the Nigerian Army in the fight against corruption and terrorism financing.
The EFCC Zonal Commander, Mr Michael Nzekwe said when he visited 22 Armoured Brigade on Wednesday in Ilorin that said it was important to deepen the existing relationship to achieve desired success.
According to him, the Army is a critical stakeholder in the fight against corruption and terrorism financing, which is part of the EFCC core mandate.
“It is therefore necessary and important for the Nigerian Army to join hands with us to end corruption in Nigeria by identifying and cutting off the source of financing for the terrorists.
“As a commission, we must engage all stakeholders and work in synergy with all law enforcement agencies, in order to deliver on our mandate.
“While the Army ensures territorial stability and peace all round, the EFCC fights corruption to ensure socio-economic stability for the people of the country,” he said.
Responding, the Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Adebayo Babalola, commended the EFCC, saying that its success as an agency of government was the success of the army.
“To this end, I can assure you that anytime you need our support, you will get it because no agency of government can do it alone.
“The corruption level in the country must be checked if we want development to be fast tracked in every facet of our lives”, Babalola said.
