The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has accused some state governors of deliberately fueling insecurity in their states so as to increase their security votes.
The EFCC boss made this allegation when he spoke at the induction programme for returning and newly-elected state governors held at the Presidential Villa.
“We have also seen evidence of theft of public resources by some state governors – cashing in on the insecurity in their states. Insecurity has also offered the required oxygen for corruption to thrive as evident in the $2.1bn arms procurement scandal involving top military commanders both serving and retired.” Magu said
The acting EFCC chairman pointed out that corruption has in no small measure aided the spread of insurgency in the North East as well as the insecurity in many parts in the Niger Delta.
“Mass poverty in the region, due in part to corruption by the ruling elite, is largely to blame for the ease with which the Islamists are able to recruit fighters to sustain their aggression against the Nigerian state. As an investigator, I am shocked by the quantum of resources stolen from the Niger Delta Development Commission by those who run the intervention agency.
It is so bad that even a mere personal assistant to a former Managing Director was charged with stealing over N3bn. Whether we like it or not, corruption and terrorism have become the twin evils, undermining our collective efforts to make Nigeria a truly great country.”
