“Nigeria is not a destination for stolen vehicles or a haven for illicit wealth from abroad,” says President Tinubu as he orders a crackdown on cybercriminals and car thieves

President Bola Tinubu has ordered security and law enforcement agencies to intensify their crackdown on cybercriminals and international car theft networks operating in the country.

He directed agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to target individuals involved in the possession and trafficking of stolen vehicles.

The President, in a statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stressed that confiscating the proceeds of criminals from their illegal activities is a powerful tool in the fight against organised crime.

He commended the EFCC for returning 53 vehicles and $180,300 to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on behalf of two Canadian victims of cybercrime involving Nigerian nationals.

President Tinubu expressed concern about international criminal gangs exporting stolen vehicles to Nigeria and commended the cooperation between Nigerian authorities and international partners in tackling the problem.

He also stressed the importance of preserving seized assets for the benefit of the state, victims and society, in accordance with legal frameworks and global treaties.

The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to combating cybercrime, money laundering and other financial crimes, declaring that the country will not be a destination for stolen vehicles or illegally acquired assets.