Cybercrime, illegal mining, others constitute a threat to Nigerian economy –EFCC

*Abdulkarim Chukkol, Acting Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, at a recent workshop for media professionals, urges Nigerians to not wait until they suffer any financial cum economic loss before launching offensive against such corrupt practices, as such crimes remain a threat to everyone in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Expressing the need to continue to ensure that extant laws against illegal miners are enforced to curb criminality, the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said illegal mining and other criminal activities are major threats to the Nigerian economy.

ConsumerConnect reports Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol, Acting Executive Chairman of EFCC, who stated this during one-day workshop the Commission organised for journalists Thursday, July 6, 2023, in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

With the theme of the workshop as “Effective Reporting of Economic and Financial Crimes”, the anti-graft Commission held the workshop at the Zonal Command of NDLEA, in Ilorin.

Represented by Mr. Michael Nzekwe, Zonal Head, the EFCC Acting Chairman asserted that cybercrime is a major criminal activity being perpetrated by undergraduates and fresh graduates of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Chukkol also stated: “The Commission has been active in tackling their criminality, and will continue to ensure that extant laws against illegal miners are enforced.

“Our work is engaging because the commission has been combatting the menace of corrupt practices, going by its impressive records of convictions, asset forfeitures and other tangible proofs of accomplishments over the years.”

The Executive Chairman further explained: “The reporting has also been arduous because our work is not static, and media have always been keeping pace with our speed and energy.

“This workshop is one of the modest efforts of the commission to build synergy and foster a more engaging relationship with the media.”

He, therefore, urged Nigerians not to wait until they suffer any loss on economic and financial crimes before launching offensive against corrupt practices, as they remained a threat to everyone.

Chukkol also noted: “It is not only by being a victim of these crimes that we suffer losses, we also suffer limitations when our neighbours, colleagues, institutions and nation fall prey to them.

“I charge the nation’s journalists on patriotism as you owe our nation and the entire world an obligation of exposing every shadiness and criminal acts through reporting.”

The EFCC Executive Chairman added: “Journalism is the best gateway to whistle blowing, and I charge the media to deploy more time, energy and commitment in exposing all fraudulent activities in our midst.”

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