The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has called for the support and collaboration of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.
The request was made yesterday during a courtesy visit by the NCCSALW management team, led by its Director General, Johnson Babatunde, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), to the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Babatunde emphasised the critical link between arms proliferation and financial crimes, highlighting the role of illicit financial transactions in fueling violent crimes.
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“We are here essentially to explore possibilities for collaboration with the EFCC in the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.
“We have established a connection between arms proliferation and finances generated from heinous crimes. The EFCC plays a pivotal role in combating financial and economic crimes, which in turn impact violent crimes.
“It is common knowledge that most violent crimes in Nigeria would not be possible without the proliferation of small arms and light weapons,” Babatunde stated.
He further stressed that criminal elements increasingly use proceeds from illicit financial transactions to acquire arms, worsening the security situation in the country.
“We have seen cases where proceeds of crime are used to import arms and ammunition when criminals find it difficult to move large sums of money.
“These weapons are then used to perpetrate further heinous crimes. This is a critical area where we seek EFCC’s collaboration,” he added.
Babatunde also sought EFCC’s assistance in manpower training, particularly in financial intelligence, forensic investigations, and financial intelligence analysis, to enhance NCCSALW’s capabilities in combating arms proliferation.
In response, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, acknowledged the strong connection between violent and financial crimes and pledged the commission’s readiness to collaborate with NCCSALW in tackling the challenge.
“Wherever you see insecurity, there is usually a prevalence of financial crimes. There is a strong relationship between financial crimes and the proliferation of small arms, which ultimately leads to insecurity.
“During our sting operations, particularly against young people involved in cybercrime, we have discovered that many of them have moved beyond financial crimes to more violent offenses like kidnapping, banditry, and ritual killings. This underscores the urgent need for collaboration between our agencies,” Olukoyede noted.
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The EFCC boss also expressed satisfaction with the growing synergy among law enforcement agencies in the country, a significant shift from the past tendency to work in isolation.
“The lack of inter-agency collaboration in Nigeria is gradually becoming a thing of the past. In recent times, we have witnessed increased cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
“We now speak with one voice and engage in collective discussions on national security issues. I pledge our support and collaboration to ensure NCCSALW achieves its mandate. There is a need for information and intelligence sharing,” Olukoyede assured.
