The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday declared that the movement of capital by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in the North-east must be approved by it.
The commission also sought the collaboration of the Nigerian Army to terminate terrorism in the North-east by halting terror financing and money laundering in the North-east.
Some NGOs in the area have been suspected of participation in terror-financing.
Some were said to have paid for a 10-year hotel accommodation making it difficult for travellers to locate lodging in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Former Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, had raised the alert that a number of NGOs had 50 bank account and sought the cooperation of banks to detain the situation by offering the essential info.
An announcement by the commission said the Maiduguri Zonal Head of the commission, Mr. Onwukwe Obiora, stated motion of cash by NGOs at Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states have to be approved by the commission.
He spoke during a courtesy call on Theatre Command of Operation Hadi ka in Maiduguri.
“We want to equally inform you that in carrying out our mandate that the commission helps to ensure that movement of money by Non-Governmental Organisations across the regional authorities in Borno, Yobe and a few components of Adamawa State has to be accepted by the zonal office”.
He further stated that if patrons of insurgency and kidnapping were cut away, the fight against insurgency could be won by the theatre command.
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Obiora appealed to the command to report suspected illicit funds connected to NGOs or people to the commission.
Based on him, `’the theatre command is a very crucial stakeholder in the battle against corruption and the role it plays is enormous. Because of this, it is necessary and essential for the Nigerian Army to join hands together to end insurgency in Nigeria by identifying and cutting off the source of financing for the insurgents.
In his response, the Theatre Commander, Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya pledged the control’s support for the EFCC.
He said the Army would assist the commission in identifying and reporting the eggs among NGOs, Bureau de Change operators and other local contractors with the intent of stopping money laundering and terrorists financing in the North-east.
In a related development, the Army has pledged to improve the existing relationship with the EFCC.
The Commander, 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, Kano, Brigadier General S. Nicodemus, made the toast when he saw the Kano Zonal Office of the EFCC.
The commander, who assumed control of the brigade on April 23, 2021, explained the trip was supposed to cement the existing connection between the military and the bureau.
He revealed that he was briefed by his predecessor of the cordial relationship that existed between the Brigade and the EFCC and encouraged that the zonal head maintains the connection.
The Kano Zonal Head, Mualledi Farouq Dogondaji, in his reply, guaranteed the commander of enhanced relationship and support.
Dogondaji further stated that the doors of the commission were offered to the Nigerian Army.
