The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said that cyber criminals now prefer to stay in Niger State as a safe haven for their criminal activities.
According to the acting Zonal Director in charge of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate, Kaltumgo Usman, the criminals run to Niger State whenever they want to engage in their criminal enterprise.
Usman made this known when he visited the Niger State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists where he disclosed that the EFCC has entered into a partnership with the Niger State chapter of the NUJ to end illegal mining and cybercrime.
Usman further opened up to the journalists that several illegal miners have been arrested.
Usman said, “the fight against these crimes are not for the EFCC alone because it is too big for us to handle. We want journalists to own the fight too so that together we can all curb the menace and succeed.
“We have apprehended four Chinese nationals and 21 others in Jos, Plateau State, alongside 33 other illegal miners, and they will be taken to court very soon.”
Meanwhile, while commending journalists for being strategic partners in the fight against corruption, Usman again disclosed that the recent operations on cyber crimes in the state were to curb criminality.
“We are seriously dealing with it, and we will nip it in the bud.
“They (cybercriminals) now see Niger state as a safe haven and are rushing here to carry out their activities.
“We have arrested so many internet fraudsters as a result of intelligence gathering, and we want Nigerians to know that the officers who raided the place are not illegal EFCC but are our men.”
In his response, the State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Abu Nmodu expressed concerns over the rise of cybercrime in Niger State, saying, “it is worrisome and we must move against anything that is bad and seen as a threat.”
While assuring the EFCC of the union’s unflinching support, Nmodu called for collaboration, which will ensure that media personnel are trained on best practices in the reportage and dynamics of the Commission’s activities.