NGOs moving cash in northeast must get clearance, EFCC says

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it is monitoring the movement of cash by nongovernment organisations in the north in efforts to trail financiers of terrorism.

Presently, its zonal office has to approve the movement of cash by NGOs across local governments in Borno, Yobe and parts of Adamawa, which have been most affected by the Boko Haram terrorism.

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Head of the commission’s zonal office in Maiduguri, Onwukwe Obiora called for the army to work with EFCC to fight money laundering and terror financing in the north east.

Both sides met on Thursday during a visit to the theatre command of Operation Hadin Ka in Maiduguri.

”In carrying out our mandate the Commission ensures that movement of cash by Non-Governmental Organisations across the local governments in Borno, Yobe and some part of Adamawa states must be approved by the Zonal Office,” Obiora said during talks.

”The Theatre Command is a very critical stakeholder in the fight against corruption and the role it plays is enormous.

“Therefore, it is necessary and important for the Nigerian Army to join hands with us to end insurgency in Nigeria by identifying and cutting off the source of financing for the insurgents.

He further stated that if sponsors of insurgency, kidnapping were cut off, the fight will be worn by the theatre command.

Obiora appealed to the command to report suspected illicit funds linked to NGOs or individuals to the Commission.

In his response, the Theatre Commander, Major General F. Yahaya pledged the army will help the Commission in identifying and reporting the bad eggs amongst NGOs, Bureau de change operators and other local contractors with the aim of stopping money laundering and terrorists financing in the Northeast.

In a related development, the Army has pledged to improve the existing relationship between it and the EFCC.

The Commander, 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, Kano, Brigadier General S. Nicodemus made the pledge Thursday, May 6 when he visited the Kano Zonal Office of the EFCC.