Strategic alliance targets illicit financial flows, boosts enforcement capacity and multi-agency collaboration across Nigeria

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stepped up its offensive against terrorism financing and illegal mining, forging stronger ties with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Canadian Government.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, announced plans to deepen collaboration with both partners to strengthen capacity, enhance intelligence-sharing, and scale up enforcement operations in the fight against financial crimes.

The renewed push followed a high-level visit by UNODC and Canadian officials to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where discussions centered on disrupting illicit financial flows tied to illegal mining and terrorist activities.

Olukoyede commended the sustained support from the international partners, revealing that the Commission has secured multiple convictions linked to illegal mining across its zonal commands. He stressed that increasingly sophisticated criminal networks—powered by emerging technologies—demand continuous training, advanced tools, and stronger global partnerships.

EFCC’s Director of Investigation, Abdulkarim Chukkol, underscored intensified crackdowns on illegal mining, noting a surge in arrests and prosecutions. He called for expanded collaboration among stakeholders to effectively tackle the growing menace.

Representatives of the UNODC disclosed ongoing initiatives—backed by the Canadian Government—aimed at addressing the nexus between illicit mining and terrorism financing. These efforts include the establishment of a multi-agency technical working group to coordinate responses.

The Canadian delegation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria through the provision of critical equipment, advanced software, and enhanced policing capacity.

The engagement marks a renewed, coordinated drive by the EFCC and its global partners to dismantle criminal networks fueling terrorism and illegal economic activities across Nigeria.