December 5, 2001
The Inspector-General of Police Musiliu Smith has inaugurated a national Committee on Advance Fee Fraud (419), at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja.
Speaking at the occasion, the IGP described the constitution of such a committee to fight Advance Fee Fraud by the President as part of government’s response to the damaging effects of the syndrome to the image and economy of this country.
He said measures put in place to curb the malaise previously were rendered relatively ineffective due to incredible growth in communication technology, as well as the development and use of Internet, which brought to fore the need to reappraise existing strategies.
IGP Smith further disclosed that with the inauguration of the committee, government will leave no stone unturned towards arresting and prosecuting all Advance Fee fraudsters, who he said had continued to dent the image of this country through their nefarious activities.
He said the National committee on 419, which will operate from an office located at Okotie Eboh street, Ikoyi Lagos, will be headed by a Police Commissioner and will comprise of representatives of the following Ministries and Agencies:
- State Security Service (SSS);
- National Intelligence Agency (NIA);
- Federal Ministry of Justice;
- Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation;
- Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President;
- Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN);
- National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
- Nigerian Telecommunication (NITEL);
- Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST); and
- Internet Service Providers.
On the functions of the committee, the IGP said, the committee will cover the prevention, investigation and prosecution of all Advance Fee Fraud cases having international linkages; all Advance Fee Fraud cases within the country involving huge amounts of money; all cases of money laundering in respect the above; all other Fraud cases which may be referred to it by the Presidency or the Inspector-General of Police as well as the establishment of a comprehensive data base for the storage and analysis of information on the above category of offences and offenders.
He emphasised the need for the cooperation of the media, the general public and the international community towards the success of the committee, and charged members of the committee to dedicate themselves unswervingly and totally to the challenge ahead and pursue their assignment with vigour and singularity of purpose in the interest of the country.
Responding on behalf of the members, the chairman of the committee, the Commissioner of Police in charge Special Fraud Unit Force CID Lagos, Mr. Ade Ajakaiye, expressed his committee’s resolve to conquer the monster known as 419, which he said had continued to jeopardised the image of this country.
Those who attended the inauguration include the representatives of the Embassies of Germany, Egypt, South Africa, and Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Total War on 4-1-9 As IGP Inaugurates National Committee on Advance Fee Fraud