The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Enobong O. Udoh, has sought the cooperation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to prosecute perpetrators of economic crimes.
He said the activities of criminals involved in pipeline vandalism, land-grabbing and other vices were worrisome.
Udoh, who assumed office as GOC 81 Division in January this year, said he was ready to work with the EFCC in order to ensure successful prosecution of criminals, adding that “of what purpose will it be if I arrest all pipeline vandals, land grabbers and other criminals dealing in contrabands and I have nobody to prosecute them?
“I am ready to work with the EFCC. I am also ready to support the EFCC in any area it may need my support.”
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Lagos Zonal office of the Commission on Thursday, May 24, 2018 to seek interactions that would enhance cooperation and synergy between the Division and the Commission, he stated that “As long as the Nigerian Army is important in ensuring that armed and violent criminals are kept out of the society as much as possible, the EFCC is equally important in the efforts to ensure national security.”
In his response, the Lagos Zonal Head of the Commission, Akaninyene Ezima, who received the delegation on behalf of the acting Executive Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, said that the Commission had keyed into the anti-corruption crusade of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
He thanked the GOC for the visit, saying, “I want to assure you that, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign, the EFCC, under the leadership of Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has keyed in and all of us, who are working with him, have also keyed in. We are trying to do our best to discharge our responsibilities.
“We are ready to partner with you where matters of mutual interest are concerned. Our interest is our country; we don’t have any other country.”
Udoh was accompanied on the visit by Brig.-Gen. T.J. Kareem; Col. S.C. Ogbuanya; Col. A. Garba; Lt.-Col. O.M. Daudu; Maj.B.T. Adeoshun and Capt. A.B. Ajitata.