EFCC, France strengthen partnership on cybercrime investigation, asset tracking

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the French government have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in cybercrime investigation, asset tracking, and security training.

This commitment was emphasized on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, when Lieutenant General Regis Colombet, Director of Security and Defence Cooperation at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, paid a courtesy visit to the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

During the visit, General Colombet underscored France’s extensive collaboration in security-related fields, particularly through the establishment of specialized training institutions across Africa.

He cited the Cyber School in Dakar, Senegal, where professionals are trained in cyber investigations, ransomware threats, and asset tracking. Additionally, he highlighted an Academy in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, dedicated to counterterrorism training, among other specialized security institutions.

“In our cooperation, we prioritize the development of academic centers and training hubs, particularly in areas such as cyber investigations and security threats. We offer training opportunities, including specialized courses in France, to enhance expertise in security and defense. Since crime has no borders, international collaboration is essential, and the EFCC’s role in combating financial and cybercrimes is crucial to our collective security efforts,” Colombet stated.

He noted that the visit was a follow-up to a strategic meeting held in December 2024, aimed at reinforcing partnerships and exploring more effective avenues for collaboration between Nigeria and France.

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Colombet also emphasized that France’s security cooperation extends beyond military engagements to cover cybersecurity, home affairs, civil defense, and other critical security concerns.

In response, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede welcomed the strengthened cooperation, highlighting the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and France in combating crime. He acknowledged the necessity of joint efforts in preventing and investigating cybercrimes, money laundering, and other transnational financial offenses.

“Nigeria and France have a long history of collaboration in crime prevention and investigation. We have successfully worked together in asset tracing, and we are committed to strengthening that relationship further. Given the borderless nature of financial and cybercrimes, international cooperation is crucial in curbing these offenses,” Olukoyede stated.

He further disclosed a recent breakthrough by the EFCC in dismantling an international criminal syndicate operating across Europe and Asia, with plans to establish a foothold in Nigeria.

Some of the syndicate’s victims, he revealed, were individuals in France, underscoring the importance of sustained international collaboration in fighting cyber and financial crimes.

“If we work together, we can significantly reduce the chances of these criminals finding safe havens anywhere in the world. Our primary responsibility is to ensure that these international syndicates do not succeed in perpetrating their crimes. This will help maintain global security, prevent civil unrest, and curb related offenses such as arms trafficking and terrorism, which are often linked to financial crimes,” he emphasized.

The EFCC chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the French embassy and its security attaché in Nigeria. He also expressed appreciation for France’s capacity development initiatives, stressing the importance of technology in modern crime-fighting strategies.

“We appreciate the opportunities for training and capacity building. Crime detection and investigation in Nigeria differ significantly from Europe. While European law enforcement can access digital records at the push of a button, our investigations require extensive fieldwork. By combining our practical expertise with France’s advanced technological tools, we can create a more effective crime-fighting strategy,” Olukoyede added.

The meeting further solidified Nigeria and France’s determination to combat financial crimes and cyber threats through intelligence sharing, training programs, and technological collaboration, reinforcing both nations’ commitment to global security and justice.