The Department of State Services (DSS) has called for stronger collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding intelligence sharing, especially in the area of terrorism financing.
The call was made in Enugu State when the DSS director in the State, Mr. Humphrey Ohikhuare, paid a courtesy visit to the EFCC zonal director, Enugu Zonal Directorate, CE Mohammed Shuaib Bello.
Speaking during the visit, Ohikhuare recognised the critical roles the EFCC plays in sustaining the economy of the nation by doggedly combating corruption, economic and financial crimes, adding that the efforts of the Commission have helped the nation in utilising its resources for its citizens.
He said, “I, as the director here, I recognise your critical roles in combating financial and economic crimes in the country, as it has helped to sustain our economy. Also, I commend you for your efforts in the investigation and prosecution of cases of fraudulent individuals as it has helped us to actually re-strategize and ensure that the country’s resources are utilized for the people.”
Continuing, Ohikhuare sought for synergy in intelligence sharing in order to put a stop to terrorism financing in the state, adding that with the collaboration of the EFCC and the DSS in tracking the sources of the funds, terrorists’ activities will be a thing of the past in the state.
“I came to collaborate with you in terms of intelligence gathering. One of our reasons of being here in the State is to fight terrorism and you know that terrorists cannot operate without funding and some of these funds pass through the banks. My coming here is for us to share intelligence so that together, we can cut off their source of funding and if we are able to do so, we will be able to check the criminalities, especially terrorism in Enugu State,” he said.
Responding, EFCC zonal director Bello appreciated the visit and noted that, as one of the board members of the commission, the DSS has been a critical stakeholder to the EFCC and the two agencies have maintained a robust relationship in terms of supporting each other to achieve their mandates, adding that the Enugu Zonal Directorate will continue to support the DSS in the State.
“The core mandate of the EFCC is to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes. As you mentioned terrorism, there cannot be terrorism without financing so it’s good you are here to collaborate with us and will give you our maximum support. Let us share intelligence because without it, both the EFCC and the DSS cannot achieve our mandates. DSS is one of our board members going by our Establishment Act so we have always collaborated with DSS,” he stated.
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