From June 12-14, FBI Director Christopher Wray visited Abuja, Nigeria, to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu, and other high-ranking law enforcement and security officials. The goal of the visit was to enhance the partnership between the FBI and Nigeria in combating terrorism, violent crime, and cybercrime.
Director Wray expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for their commitment to collaborating with the FBI against transnational criminal and terrorist threats. He highlighted the ongoing cooperation between the FBI and the Nigerian National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) and ONSA, emphasizing the alignment of their counterterrorism efforts with the security priorities of both nations.
Wray also commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their close cooperation with the FBI in tackling cyber-enabled crimes and sextortion schemes from Nigeria. He discussed opportunities for the FBI to provide further training and resources to bolster the EFCC’s capacity to investigate cyber threats.
The issue of kidnappings for ransom in Nigeria was also addressed, with Wray noting the FBI’s International Violent Crimes Unit’s engagement with Nigerian law enforcement. He highlighted ongoing efforts to provide investigative assistance and training to help mitigate this threat.
Throughout his visit, Wray emphasized the strong relationship between the FBI and Nigerian law enforcement. He expressed appreciation for the collaboration between the FBI’s legal attaché office in Abuja and the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, which is crucial for advancing shared security goals.
The visit demonstrates the commitment of both countries to strengthening their partnership in combating cybercrime and terrorism. The collaboration aims to protect the citizens of both nations and uphold the rule of law.
In a related development, the FBI earlier this year accused Odogwu Banye Mmobuosi, also known as “Dozy Mmobuosi,” of orchestrating an elaborate securities fraud scheme. The indictment alleged that Mmobuosi masterminded a deceitful plan from approximately 2019 to 2023, falsely portraying Nigerian companies as lucrative operational entities.
The visit and the ongoing collaboration between the FBI and Nigerian law enforcement demonstrate the importance of international cooperation in combating cybercrime and terrorism. The partnership aims to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law in both nations.
