The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the French government have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in asset tracking, cybercrime investigation, and security training.
This commitment was underscored during a courtesy visit by Lieutenant General Regis Colombet, Director of Security and Defence Cooperation at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
During the meeting, Lieutenant General Colombet highlighted France’s extensive engagement in various security domains, particularly in the establishment of specialized academic and training centers. He cited the Cyber School in Dakar, Senegal, which provides training in cyber investigations, ransomware threats, and criminal investigations related to asset tracking. Additionally, he mentioned an Academy in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, dedicated to counterterrorism training, as well as several other academic and security training initiatives across Africa.
“In our cooperation, we prioritize the development of academic centers and training hubs, particularly in areas such as cyber investigations and security threats. We offer specialized training courses in France to enhance expertise in security and defense. Since crime knows no borders, international collaboration is essential, and the EFCC’s role in combating financial and cybercrimes is crucial to our collective security efforts,” Colombet stated.
He further emphasized that the visit was a follow-up to a strategic meeting held in December 2024, aimed at reinforcing partnerships and identifying more effective avenues for cooperation between Nigeria and France. Colombet noted that France’s security collaboration extends beyond military cooperation to include cybersecurity, home affairs, civil defense, and broader security concerns.
In response, Mr. Olukoyede welcomed the collaboration, acknowledging the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and France in the fight against financial crimes. He emphasized the importance of joint efforts in preventing and investigating cybercrimes, money laundering, and other transnational financial offenses.
“Nigeria and France have a well-established history of collaboration in crime prevention and investigation. We have successfully worked together in asset tracing, and we remain committed to strengthening that partnership. Given the borderless nature of financial and cybercrimes, international cooperation is vital in addressing these challenges,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC Chairman also highlighted a recent success in dismantling an international criminal syndicate operating across Europe and Asia, with plans to establish a foothold in Nigeria. He revealed that some of the syndicate’s victims were in France, underscoring the importance of sustained international collaboration to prevent such crimes from proliferating.
“If we work together, we can significantly reduce the ability of these criminals to find safe havens anywhere in the world. Our primary responsibility is to ensure that these international syndicates do not succeed in their criminal enterprises. This will not only enhance global security but also help prevent civil unrest and curb associated crimes such as arms trafficking and terrorism, which are often linked to financial crimes,” he added.
Olukoyede reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to working closely with the French Embassy and its security attaché in Nigeria. He also expressed appreciation for France’s capacity development initiatives, highlighting the crucial role of technological advancements in modern crime-fighting efforts.
“We value the opportunities for training and capacity building. Crime detection and investigation in Nigeria differ significantly from Europe. While European law enforcement agencies can access digital records instantaneously, our investigations often require extensive fieldwork. By integrating our practical expertise with France’s advanced technological tools, we can develop a more effective crime-fighting strategy,” he concluded.
