Nigeria Police Chief Orders Terrorism, Banditry Cases to Specialized Units

Nigeria's Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed all police officers nationwide to refer cases involving terrorism financing, banditry, and other financial crimes to specialized units. This directive is part of a broader strategy to strengthen intelligence-led policing and combat organized crime more effectively.

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We have directed all our officers to direct cases they discover that have to do with terror, banditry, and where monies have been circulated to teams that are specialised in handling it.

The decision stems from the evolving nature of criminal activities, which increasingly rely on illicit financial transactions that often transcend national borders. The IGP emphasized that enhanced collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) is crucial for tackling terrorism, banditry, crude oil theft, and other forms of organized crime.

To support these efforts, the police have established a dedicated Proceeds of Crime Section, headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police with extensive experience in financial crime. This section aims to strengthen investigations into financial crimes and terrorism financing, thereby enhancing the police's role within Nigeria's anti-money laundering framework. The IGP also appealed to the NFIU for expanded training opportunities for police personnel in areas such as financial intelligence and asset tracing.

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The Force has established the Proceeds of Crime Section, and this is headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police with vast experience and expertise in financial crime to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing.

The NFIU's Chief Executive Officer, Hafsat Bakari, acknowledged the Nigeria Police Force as a key partner in the nation's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing efforts. She highlighted the indispensable role of financial intelligence in investigating various crimes, including terrorism financing, kidnapping, cybercrime, corruption, human trafficking, and illegal mining.

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The establishment and operationalisation of the section have enhanced the visibility and relevance of the Force within the Nigerian anti-money laundering architecture.