EFCC strengthens media partnership to tackle economic crimes in Kano
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media as part of efforts to combat economic and financial crimes.
The Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Friday S. Ebelo, stated this on Wednesday when he received the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Matashiya TV, Abubakar Murtala Ibrahim, on a courtesy visit to his office in Kano.
Speaking on behalf of the EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, Ebelo described the media as a key stakeholder in the commission’s mandate to investigate, prevent and prosecute economic and financial crimes.
“Whatever we do, if it is not properly reported to the populace in the form of education and crime deterrence, we will not be able to go further. The media is a core partner in progress. From the beginning, our Public Affairs Department has coordinated the media angle of our operations, and it is on this premise that we seek to further reaffirm our support and partnership,” he said.
Ebelo said the EFCC’s mandate covered offences including cybercrime, fraud, money laundering, public sector corruption and economic sabotage, stressing that publicising the commission’s activities was essential to deterring potential offenders and educating the public, particularly young people.
In his remarks, Ibrahim expressed Matashiya TV’s desire to establish a sustainable working relationship with the EFCC. He said the online television platform focuses on journalism, community development and youth empowerment, having trained more than 3,000 youths in various professional skills.
He added that the platform had also developed programmes aimed at educating young people and discouraging them from engaging in cybercrime and violence.
“We have ideas and programmes to enlighten the people, especially the youth, because we believe this will reduce their engagement in cybercrime and related violence,” he said.
