According to Daily Trust, Daniel Bwala, former media aide to Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for declaring former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello wanted. Bwala questioned the EFCC's approach, pointing out that Bello's whereabouts should not be hidden, as he and the incumbent governor have security details obligated to report their activities to relevant authorities.
Bwala further criticized the EFCC for failing to utilize available resources such as police and State Security Service (SSS) surveillance instruments for geo-tracking and geo-locating individuals. He emphasized that the EFCC's appeal to the general public for information about Bello's whereabouts was unnecessary, given the resources at their disposal.
In his remarks, Bwala urged the EFCC to fulfill its duties without sensationalizing the situation, emphasizing the importance of conducting thorough investigations and utilizing existing law enforcement mechanisms. His comments reflect broader concerns about the effectiveness and efficiency of Nigeria's anti-corruption agencies in addressing high-profile cases.
He said: “You knew who came and whisked him away – you allowed that. Both him and the incumbent governor have security detail from police and SSS who must report activities including the whereabouts of their VIPs to their commands – meaning his whereabouts is not hidden.
“You knew Police and SSS have surveillance instruments for geo-tracking and geo-locating- yet you failed to approach. You are asking the general public to give you information about someone you have every reason to know his whereabouts. Please do your job without dramatising it.”