“We can’t fight corruption alone” – EFCC chair calls for improved agencies’ collaboration

The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede has called for improved collaboration among law enforcement and anti-graft agencies.

Olukoyede made the appeal while senior officers of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC embarked on a working visit to eight law enforcement agencies in Niger State.

The EFCC chairman also said that such collaboration would ensure the effective actualisation of the agencies’ mandates.

Some of the agencies listed by the chairman include the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Nigeria Police Force.

Others are the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Represented at the meeting by the Acting Director, Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC, ACE I Ahmed Ghali, the chairman said that collaboration between the commission and other law enforcement agencies was “indispensable in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes in the country.

He also noted that no single agency can succeed, working in a silo.

“This synergy is essential for effective intelligence sharing and joint operations in the course of carrying out our distinct mandates, which are geared towards the goal of improving the economy.

“With continuous closely-knitted inter-agency engagements we will be able to surmount any challenge we face. Let’s not overlook this very vital instrument that has led to our record of successes,” Olukoyede said.

In addition, the heads of the host agencies in their responses expressed their appreciation of the anti-graft commision for being resolute, courageous and professional in the course of discharging its responsibilities despite the challenges the Commission faced.

These agencies also reaffirmed their committment and uniform belief on the fact that corruption must be seen as a common enemy.

They stated that the fight against corruption requires all agencies to contribute their expertise and work with others as partners in progress.