President Tinubu Orders Crackdown On Cybercrime And Transnational Car Theft

President Bola Tinubu has directed key law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigerian Ports Authority, to intensify efforts against cybercrime and the trafficking of stolen vehicles. The directive aims to curb the operations of individuals involved in these illegal activities.

This follows the recent handover of 53 stolen vehicles and by the EFCC to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, representing the recovery of assets for two Canadian citizens who fell victim to cybercrime by Nigerian nationals. President Tinubu praised the EFCC’s collaboration with international partners, emphasising the importance of coordinated and professional responses to these issues.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president reaffirmed that “Nigeria is not a destination for stolen vehicles and a haven for illicit wealth from foreign countries.” He expressed concern over the growing involvement of transnational criminal groups in smuggling stolen vehicles into Nigeria, stressing that seizing the proceeds of these crimes is key to undermining criminal operations.

The president further instructed anti-corruption agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s economic and financial integrity and ensure that seized assets are preserved for the benefit of the state, society, and victims, in line with national laws and international agreements.

President Tinubu also vowed to strengthen Nigeria’s partnerships with global allies to dismantle cybercrime networks and organised crime syndicates, reiterating his administration’s commitment to tackling money laundering, cybercrime, and other financial crimes.