Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has requested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission track’s terrorism funding in the country.
Musa said this was one of the means to restrain terrorism globally.
The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa in a report titled “Terrorist Financing in West Africa” declared that terrorists and terrorist organisations use both legitimate and illegitimate means to raise funds, including formal and informal channels to move cash around.
The CDS, however, urged the EFCC to help in tracing funds related to terrorism.
The Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Friday stated that the CDS had spoken with the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, when he visited him in Abuja.
The Chief of Defence staff, also described the legal system of the country as “soft”, complaining that the system is delaying the prosecution of suspects.
As claimed by him, the delay experienced in the prosecution of suspects had become one of the major challenges for the military.
The statement partly read, “The CDS called for the tracking of terrorism funding in Nigeria, being one of the non-kinetic means of fighting terrorism across the globe.
“The CDS further informed the Chairman of the Anti-Graft body that AFN synergises with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and other stakeholders to fight oil theft in the country.
“He lamented that the issues of blocking loopholes brought about by the siphoning of oil and the soft legal system which delays the prosecution of suspects have been major challenges.”
The CDS also requested for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras at strategic locations, adding that it would help in the fight against crime in the country.
“He harped on the use of census, and installation of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras in strategic points to contain cases of corruption, terrorism, and other forms of insecurity in the country,” Musa said.,,
“The AFN adopts the proceedings of a General Court Martial to checkmate culpable personnel, ” the CDS added.
However, Musa adviced the EFCC boss to encourage public officeholders and other Nigerians in positions of authorities to maintain good governance to forestall economic breakdown and insecurity.
Ola Olukoyede the Executive Chairman of EFCC affirmed that the war against corruption must be won as the menace has destroyed the nation’s economy and at the same time dented the image of the country.
He warned that if drastic measures are not taken, the country would be put into jeopardy in the next 10 years.
“As a means to mitigate the menace caused by corruption and insecurity, the chairman posited that cognitive responsibility has to be embraced by the military and other security agencies, adding that the war against corruption should be seen as everybody’s business. Furthermore, he said EFCC, the military, and other security agencies have to join forces in fighting corruption, ” the statement added.
