Crack teams from the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) of the Nigeria Police have begun a manhunt for those involved in the burgling of the office of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the central national agency that handles disclosures and intelligence in the financial sector.
The office, located at No. 12, Ibrahim Taiwo Street, Aso Villa, was allegedly burgled last Thursday night. It was, however, discovered on Friday morning. When the suspected burglars broke in, at least seven computers, containing sensitive financial information, were reportedly taken away, while others were damaged.
Daily Sun has reliably gathered that the key mastermind of the burglary, a serving chief superintendent of police, was on the run, as security operatives intensified efforts to apprehend him and his co-travellers.
It was learnt that the break-in was caught on camera: “At least, six persons were involved. They were caught by a CCTV camera. Detectives are on their trail after watching the footage,” a source told Daily Sun last night.
The office was attacked after the presidential panel probing the suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, requested for the transaction history of a Kaduna-based bureau de change (BDC). The panel was told that the BDC, which allegedly had links to Magu, recently transacted businesses worth over N500 billion in different currencies — N336 billion, $435 million and €14 million.
Magu is facing charges of mismanagement and lack of transparency in managing recovered assets as well as disobeying directives and court orders. He has been in detention since last week, after he was compelled by security operatives who accosted him at the EFCC annex in Wuse II and escorted him to the Aso Villa, venue of the ongoing probe.