The Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kaduna has identified visa racketeering, cyber crimes and illegal mining as some of the biggest challenges facing the state.

The Acting Zonal Director, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Directorate, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, made this revelation during a courtesy visit to the Executive Officials of Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Kaltungo disclosed that Visa racketeering, cybercrimes and illegal mining are becoming alarming in Kaduna State, and appealed to journalists to enlighten the general public on the danger of engaging in such crimes.

The EFCC Director called on journalists in the State to help in the fight against all social vices and also endeavour to steer clear of any controversial report that is capable of damaging the image and reputation of the Commission whenever the need arises.

“You are going to look out for a renewed vigour in the fight against corruption, and this issue of cybercrimes that our youths are indulging in, is becoming alarming. So the Commission is devising a new strategy to nib it in the bud. So we don’t want it to spread because youths who are the leaders of tomorrow”, he said.

The EFCC Zonal Director also pinpointed the issue of Visa racketeering, which is far more prevalent in the state, especially during the lesser Hajj and during the holy pilgrimage.

He lamented that a lot of people have been duped of their hard-earned money in the name of Visa by travelling agents and some desperate couples, all in the name of helping victims to procure visas.

“We want to use this opportunity to appeal to couples to desist from such acts because the law does not provide any immunity for married men or women who engage in visa racketeering. We are appealing to people of Kaduna and Niger State to desist from this crime,” he warned.

He also appealed to illegal miners to obtain proper license from the federal government and not incur the wrath of the Commission.
Kaltungo expressed gratitude to the NUJ members for the support and cooperation over the years, and pleaded that the support should be sustained for the good of the society.