President Bola Tinubu has ordered a crackdown on individuals and groups involved in stolen vehicle trafficking, directing agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigerian Ports Authority to intensify their efforts. This move comes after the EFCC successfully handed over 53 stolen vehicles and $180,300 to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, restoring assets to two Canadian citizens who fell victim to cybercrimes committed by Nigerians.
He praised the commission for its effective teamwork with stakeholders to tackle this issue with a unified and expert approach. President Bola Tinubu’s directive to crack down on cybercriminals and transnational car thieves was communicated through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The statement, titled “President Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Cyber Criminals, Transnational Car Thieves.”
According to Onanuga, the President strongly affirmed “Nigeria is not a destination for stolen vehicles and a haven for illicit wealth from foreign countries. He emphasized the urgent need to address the role of transnational organized crime groups in smuggling stolen vehicles into Nigeria, highlighting the importance of cutting off their financial lifelines as a key strategy for law enforcement agencies to effectively combat these criminal networks.”
“The President further directs all relevant agencies, particularly the anti-corruption agencies, to protect Nigeria’s economic and financial integrity from organised crime infiltration. He also demands that the value of seized and confiscated moveable assets be preserved for the state, society, and victims in line with existing legislation and international conventions,” the statement partly read.
Tinubu promised that Nigeria will continue to work with its international partners to ensure that cyber criminals and organised crime groups involved in transnational car thefts are deprived of the benefits of their illegal activities.
He affirmed that his administration remains committed to tackling money laundering, cybercrime, and other financial crimes.
