Inspector-General of Police orders specialized probe of terror and banditry finances
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed police officers across Nigeria to refer cases involving terrorism financing, banditry, and other financial crimes to specialized units. This directive, announced during a meeting with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit in Abuja, aims to enhance intelligence-led policing and combat the evolving nature of crime, which increasingly relies on illicit cross-border financial transactions. Disu emphasized the necessity of financial intelligence and closer collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the NFIU to tackle organized crimes like terrorism, banditry, and crude oil theft. He stated that following the money could help solve up to 50 percent of these crimes. The Force has established a dedicated Proceeds of Crime Section, headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police with expertise in financial crime, to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing efforts. Disu also requested more training opportunities from the NFIU for police personnel in financial intelligence and asset tracing. NFIU Chief Executive Officer, Hafsat Bakari, affirmed the police as a critical partner in Nigeria's anti-money laundering framework, highlighting the indispensable role of financial intelligence in investigating various crimes and commending the Force for its contribution to Nigeria's removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.
