President Bola Tinubu has given order for increased cooperation between Nigerian law enforcement agencies and the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He gave the order during a meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Saturday, during FBI Director Christopher Wray’s visit.
President Tinubu called for greater focus on addressing cybercrime, terrorism, and related criminal activities through joint efforts.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Mr Tinubu acknowledged the FBI’s sophistication and reputation for excellence, expressing honor at the Director’s visit.
“The visit of Director Wray underscores the importance of our partnership in eliminating local and global crimes,” President Tinubu stated.
As Chairman of ECOWAS, President Tinubu also highlighted Nigeria’s collaboration with other West African nations in combating economic crimes.
“We are working closely with our regional partners to tackle economic crimes and terrorism,” President Tinubu affirmed.
President Tinubu further stressed the role of education in poverty alleviation, noting its significance in addressing the root causes of criminal activities. He expressed appreciation for the diverse Nigerian agencies present at the meeting, actively involved in reducing crimes across the country.
In response, FBI Director Wray praised President Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing partnerships among government agencies to protect citizens from terrorism and cyber-enabled crimes.
“We value President Tinubu’s efforts in countering terrorism, which poses a threat to both Nigeria and the United States,” Director Wray acknowledged.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s recent successes in countering ISIS and other terrorist groups in West Africa, crediting effective coordination among security agencies.
“We stand ready to support Nigeria in various aspects, including counter-terrorism, cybercrime prevention, and intelligence sharing,” Director Wray assured.
Key security figures attending the meeting included National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of mutual commitment to deepen collaboration through enhanced intelligence sharing and joint operations, reflecting Nigeria’s proactive stance in leveraging international partnerships to bolster its security efforts against evolving threats.
