The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Service (SSS) have resolved to strengthen collaboration to tackle financial crimes.

Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the collaboration would be particularly in the area of intelligence to tackle economic and financial crimes and corruption.

According to him, the two agencies made the resolution when Paul Akugbo, the new director of Base Command Liaison, Lagos, paid a courtesy visit to Michael Wetkas, acting director of the Lagos directorate of the EFCC.

Meanwhile, Mr Akugbo described the visit as necessary to strengthen the existing collaboration between the SSS and the EFCC.

He commended the EFCC for its unrelenting efforts to curb corruption, saying the visit was a proactive measure to meet the people on ground and familiarise with them for better collaboration.

“Security is not a one-man business, so cooperation and collaboration are needed.

“We are here for national security, and we have to work better. This is because the criminals are bonding too. I can assure you our cooperation will be robust, and our support will not be hindered,” he said.

Responding, Mr Wetkas expressed delight in receiving Mr Akugbo and his team, adding that the SSS and the EFCC had always worked together.

“On several occasions, we have written letters to you for certain people on our watch list, and you have intercepted them and handed them over to us. We thank you for this.

“The success of our various services is our joint success. Lagos is a challenging place, and we are here to support you in any way we can,” he said.

He said the visit demonstrated that the SSS was ready to work and partner with the EFCC to achieve overall success for Nigeria.

“There is always a need to collaborate and build better relationships to make this country a success,” he said.

(NAN)