The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria has taken a significant step to combat the increasing incidence of immigration fraud by establishing a specialized Immigration Fraud Section. This new unit has been set up in several of the Commission’s commands across Nigeria, including major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt.

EFCC’s chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, revealed this development during a meeting with a delegation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), led by Superintendent Rabhi Abdallah. This initiative comes as a response to the persistent fraud related to immigration and visa issues affecting Nigerians and foreign missions in Nigeria.

During the meeting, Abdallah discussed the potential for deeper collaboration between the RCMP and the EFCC. The RCMP is keen on deploying Canadian law enforcement officers to join forces with the EFCC in specialized investigations, aiming to bolster stability and enhance global security. This partnership is expected to extend support and build capacity within the EFCC, leveraging Canadian expertise in handling complex international crime.

Olukoyede emphasized the necessity of this new section, pointing out the extensive fraud observed in the visa and immigration processes. “We have established the Immigration Fraud Section to specifically address the high level of scams we’re seeing,” Olukoyede stated. “Our goal is to protect our citizens and ensure that our embassies are not victims of these pervasive schemes.”

The EFCC’s decision to focus on immigration fraud is timely, given the increasing sophistication of scams targeting individuals seeking visas and other immigration services. By dedicating resources and attention to this issue, the EFCC aims to significantly reduce the incidence of these crimes.

The collaboration between the EFCC and the RCMP is not new. It has been fruitful over the years, with several successful joint operations and investigations. This relationship has helped the EFCC solidify its reputation as a highly efficient and professional agency, not only in Nigeria but across Africa.

Robert Aboumitri, Senior Intelligence Analyst with the RCMP, praised the EFCC for its effectiveness and professionalism. “The EFCC has proven to be our most reliable partner in Nigeria,” Aboumitri remarked. “Their professionalism and results-driven approach have been crucial in solving numerous cases together.”

The meeting concluded with a discussion on formalizing the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will outline the specific areas of interest, including capacity building and infrastructural support. Olukoyede expressed his gratitude and optimism about the future of this collaboration. “We are grateful for the opportunity to enhance our capabilities through this partnership, which will ultimately benefit Nigeria and the wider region,” he said.

With over two decades of experience in combating corruption and financial crimes, the EFCC continues to strengthen its capacity through international partnerships and collaborative efforts. This latest initiative marks another step forward in its mission to uphold integrity and justice in Nigeria.