EFCC, UNODC, Canada strategize against terrorist financing, illegal mining 

Nigeria’s anti-graft agency is looking to tighten its grip on financial crimes linked to terrorism and illegal mining, with fresh backing from international partners.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, disclosed this in a statement shared on its official page.

The commission said it is expanding collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, and the Canadian government to strengthen operations in both areas.

This position was conveyed during a meeting at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where representatives of the UN body and Canada’s counter-terrorism programme engaged EFCC leadership on new areas of support.

Executive chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyed, espoke through his Chief of Staff, Commander of the EFCC, CE Michael Nzekwe.

Olukoyede acknowledged the long-standing partnership, noting that recent engagements have contributed to improved enforcement outcomes.

“I appreciate strongly the support that has been coming from UNODC and from the Canadian Government,” he said.

He pointed out that illegal mining and terrorism financing have remained key focus areas for the commission, with a number of convictions already secured across its commands.

“The EFCC has been doing a lot in the areas of terrorism financing and illegal mining. we have a good number of convictions,” he added.

Olukoyede also raised concerns about the evolving tactics of criminal networks, warning that enforcement agencies must continuously upgrade their tools and skills to keep pace.

“At our level, a lot has been done in-house, especially as it relates to terrorism financing, illegal mining and money laundering,” he said.

Also speaking, the EFCC’s Director of Investigation, Abdulkarim Chukkol, said the agency has intensified operations against illegal mining, leading to increased arrests and prosecutions in recent months.

On their part, officials of the UNODC said the visit was aimed at exploring deeper collaboration, particularly through existing technical frameworks designed to tackle transnational crimes.

EFCC, UNODC, Canada strategize against terrorist financing, illegal mining