Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Olatunji Riliwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in the fight against money laundering, terrorism financing and other complex financial crimes.
The IGP gave the assurance while receiving the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hajia Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, on a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, anipr, the meeting focused on enhancing operational synergy, strengthening intelligence-sharing mechanisms and institutionalising strategic cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force and the NFIU.
The NFIU delegation included the Chief of Staff, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed; General Counsel, Mr. Felix Obiamalu; Chief Operating Officer, Law Enforcement Agencies, Mr. Emmanuel Sotande; Chief Operating Officer, Information Security Systems, Mr. Abdulrahman Mustapha; Special Adviser on Operations, Mr. Douglas Egwuemi; and Special Adviser on Administration, Mr. Mustapha Awaisu.
Speaking during the visit, Hajia Bakari described the partnership between the NFIU and the Nigeria Police Force as critical to Nigeria’s national security architecture, stressing that stronger collaboration would significantly enhance the country’s capacity to combat financial crimes.
She noted that the forthcoming 2027 Mutual Evaluation would assess how effectively the Police utilises financial intelligence generated by the NFIU to investigate money laundering, disrupt terrorism financing networks and secure convictions in financial crime cases.
Bakari commended the Inspector-General of Police for approving a joint stock-taking exercise between both institutions, describing the initiative as a major step toward improving inter-agency cooperation.
She also advocated deeper institutional collaboration by extending Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) awareness and capacity-building programmes to police commands and formations nationwide.
According to her, the focus should shift from isolated operational successes to building sustainable institutional excellence capable of delivering long-term results.
The NFIU Chief further expressed condolences to the Nigeria Police Force over officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the Police in advancing national security objectives.
Responding, IGP Disu welcomed the delegation and called for a more robust and mutually beneficial partnership between both institutions.
He highlighted the strategic role of the Nigeria Police Force’s specialised Anti-Money Laundering Unit, alongside other operational divisions, in investigating financial crimes, terrorism financing, banditry and other sophisticated transnational criminal activities.
Describing anti-money laundering investigations as highly specialised, the IGP urged the NFIU to sustain advanced training programmes for police personnel involved in financial crime investigations.
He also requested continued access to actionable financial intelligence, modern investigative tools and technical support to improve the quality of investigations, strengthen prosecutions and increase conviction rates.
The Inspector-General reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to working closely with strategic partners such as the NFIU to enhance operational effectiveness, safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system and strengthen public confidence in law enforcement.
The meeting further underscored the growing collaboration between both agencies as Nigeria intensifies efforts to combat illicit financial flows, organised crime and terrorism financing in line with international anti-money laundering standards.
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