The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sought the support of the Nigerian Navy (NN) in the fight against corruption in the country.
The Acting Chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu, made the request when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja.
Magu said that the visit was essentially to mobilise everybody in the fight against corruption, adding that everybody was a stakeholder in what the commission was doing.
“We are trying to bring everybody on board to join the fight against corruption.
“We also want to seek the support of the NN in our joint operations in several areas, and I am also aware that a lot is being done to ensure corruption-free Navy,” the acting chairman said.
According to him, corruption is everywhere and everybody must support the commission to curb the menace.
Magu also sought the support of the service in the ongoing mobilisation of Nigerian women in the war against corruption in the country.
He expressed optimism that the inter-agency collaboration would remove the gap in communication in order to ensure corruption free society.
“We understand that some people do not believe corruption is wrong or is a serious offence against the nation.
“The reception accorded us is a pointer to the fact that NN is with us in the fight against corruption,” he said.
Magu said that if the commission was able to sustain the present tempo for the next two years, the country would change definitely.
He, therefore, urged everybody to join hands with the commission in the fight against corruption.
Receiving the EFCC chairman, the CNS commended the commission for its efforts at trying to rid the country of any form of corrupt practices, especially in public organisations.
Ibas also promised to give the necessary support to the commission to enable it to succeed in its quest to tackle corruption headlong.
“The NN knows its position in the fight against corruption, as officers and men are quite aware of the consequences.
“If we are to go by the records, you will understand that we have zero tolerance for corruption.
“Our men and officers who have been found wanting in crimes that are connected to the survival of the nation have been sanctioned appropriately,” Ibas said.
He recalled that the service had also dismissed, disrated and demoted officers and men respectively for offences committed relating to crude oil theft as well as illegal bunkering.
“In other areas, the NN prides itself as a disciplined organisation and at no time tolerates any form of corruption whatsoever,” he said.
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