‘Nigeria Not A Nation Of Fraudsters’ – Tinubu Urges EFCC To Tackle Cybercrime

President Bola Tinubu has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fight the upsurge of internet crimes and other acts of corruption in the country.

The president made this call on Wednesday at a one-day public engagement on youth, religion and fight against corruption and the launch of the Fraud Risk Assessment Project for Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs organised by EFCC, in Abuja.

Represented by Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said the disturbing contagion of cybercrime has been a challenge and slur on the image of Nigeria.

He therefore urged EFCC to spare no effort in tackling the menace.

“Our country is not a nation of fraudsters, and the pejorative reference to internet crimes as the ‘Nigerian scam’ across the world is unfair, untenable and unacceptable.

“Cybercrimes, to all intents and purposes, are a global phenomenon. Today’s world is run real time on the internet. Governance, businesses, institutions and even individual domestic affairs are dependent on the internet.

“Cyber criminals are, therefore, a threat to the rest of the world. This is why no effort or expense should be spared in confronting the evil.

“I want to assure the EFCC that the government will continue to offer its support in its quest to kill the dragon that internet offences have become.”

Tinubu therefore expressed his government’s determination to give corruption a hard tackle.

He said Nigeria as a nation cannot be focused on growth and development “and at the same time offer any breathing space to corrupt practices.”

He explained that no nation grows without breaking the fangs of corruption.

“The EFCC has been duly instructed to do its job at all times without any extraneous considerations.

“The Renewed Hope agenda of our government is impervious to corruption. We should all join hands together to move Nigeria in a new direction of purpose.”

He also encouraged EFCC not to be discouraged by “throw backs” coming from some sections of the society regarding its consistent fight against internet crimes and other corrupt practices.

The president pointed out that his government is “aware of all the foul cries and unwarranted accusations against the lawful efforts of the commission to bring fraudsters to book.

“We cannot fold our hands and watch our youths descend into morbid criminalities,” he said.