The International Criminal Police Organization, INTERPOL, has reached out to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, seeking a joint effort to combat organized criminal entities operating throughout the West African sub-region. This pivotal request was conveyed during a meeting that took place on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at the EFCC Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
Leading the delegation from INTERPOL was Pascal Progin, the coordinator of the criminal networks sub-directorate within its organized crime unit. Progin underscored the importance of the EFCC’s collaboration in addressing what he referred to as “Nigerian organized crime groups.” He emphasized that INTERPOL required the EFCC’s expertise, extensive experience, and vast network to effectively challenge and dismantle these criminal organizations.
Progin elucidated, “Organized crime encompasses illicit activities perpetrated by criminal syndicates and organizations based in Nigeria or by Nigerian criminal networks operating within both domestic and international spheres. Such activities encompass cybercrime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, oil theft, and illegal arms trading.”
He further elaborated that these criminal enterprises often prey on vulnerable individuals, inflicting substantial harm on both victims and society as a whole. He highlighted the necessity of collaboration with law enforcement agencies worldwide, with a particular emphasis on partnering with the EFCC to combat this growing menace.
In response, Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulkarim Chukkol, represented by the Head of Operations, Ibrahim Liman, expressed the EFCC’s unwavering commitment to collaborating in any capacity to combat criminal activities. Chukkol affirmed, “I have carefully considered your proposal, and you are absolutely correct. As a law enforcement agency, it is imperative that we work together. In today’s world, crimes transcend borders. A criminal located here may be engaged in criminal activities in France, America, or anywhere else. Therefore, the importance of collaboration cannot be overstated. Interagency collaboration is also vital to address the multifaceted nature of criminality.”
During the meeting, technical discussions were held between EFCC officers and Progin’s INTERPOL delegation. Progin reiterated that the primary objective of this initiative was to bolster efforts in identifying members of African organized crime groups, both within Africa and internationally, connecting them to their respective criminal organizations. This would be achieved through an enhanced exchange of critical information and the development of tailored operational activities.
