As part of the ongoing effort to bolster regional security measures and enhanced effectiveness in policing strategies, the Nigeria Police Force is currently deepening strategic collaboration with Interpol to strengthen intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity-building initiatives across borders.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The meeting, attended by senior officials including the President of INTERPOL, Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, aimed to enhance collaboration in addressing transnational organized crime.
It read “It is evidenced by the recent high-level meeting in France attended by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun PhD., NPM alongside the President of INTERPOL, Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi of the United Arab Emirates, the INTERPOL Vice-President for Africa, AIG Garba Baba Umar (Rtd.), and the Secretary General Dr. Jurgen Stock on the 27th April 2024, where the IGP discussed key partnerships to tackle transnational organized crime.”
During the sessions, the IGP engaged with key INTERPOL representatives, including the Secretary General Dr. Jurgen Stock and the Executive Director of Police Services Mr. Stephen Kavenaugh. Additionally, the Vice President of INTERPOL for Africa, AIG Garba Baba Umar (Rtd.), and AIG Stanley Ude (AIG INTERPOL Abuja) were also present.
The discussions focused on leveraging INTERPOL’s extensive resources to combat transnational organized crime, particularly in Nigeria and the broader West African region.
As the Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO), the IGP emphasized the importance of collective efforts in addressing security challenges across borders.
He also expressed the readiness of the Nigeria Police Force to leverage on its strengths, partner with other police services, and elaborate it’s e-policing capabilities to crack down on all forms of organized crime networks in Nigeria and across it’s borders.
The IGP noted that the exchange of expertise, experience, and networks between INTERPOL and the Nigeria Police would reflect a concerted approach to address criminal activities such as cybercrime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and kidnapping in the African region.
Other African leaders who were present at the meeting include chiefs of Police from East Africa, North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa, and top officers at the secretariat of Interpol.
