The Zonal Director of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Victoria Ugo-Ali, on Monday paid strategic courtesy visits to the Commandant of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, and the Kwara State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Michael Oganwu, in Ilorin.

The visits were aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration to combat corruption, illegal mining, banditry and terrorism financing in Kwara State and neighbouring areas.

During her meeting with the Army Commandant, Ugo-Ali emphasised the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address illegal mining, describing it as a major threat to Nigeria's economic stability and national security.

She noted that illicit mining operations are often driven by organised criminal networks that evade regulatory controls and deprive the nation of critical revenue. She called for enhanced intelligence sharing, joint field operations and improved protection of mining sites.

Ugo-Ali also highlighted the nexus between illegal mining and terrorism financing, explaining that proceeds from unlawful mineral extraction are sometimes channelled into funding violent and extremist activities.

In his response, Brigadier General Rume commended the EFCC's proactive engagement and reaffirmed the Brigade's readiness to support anti-corruption and economic crime initiatives within its operational jurisdiction.

At the DSS headquarters, Ugo-Ali underscored the importance of intelligence-driven collaboration in tackling corruption, economic crimes and the growing threat of banditry in parts of Kwara and neighbouring states.

She observed that illicit financial activities often enable insecurity by providing funding streams for bandit groups and extremist elements, stressing that cutting off such financial lifelines through joint investigations and enforcement would significantly weaken criminal networks.

Responding, Oganwu assured the EFCC of the DSS's support, noting that the fight against corruption, banditry and terrorism financing requires a united front among security agencies.

He pledged actionable intelligence and strategic collaboration to ensure effective enforcement and sustainable peace in the state.