…..The IGP’s maiden visit to the INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France, opens fresh discussions on intelligence sharing, cybercrime, fugitive tracking and stronger international action against transnational criminal networks.
By Rejoice Peterside
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Monday met with the Secretary General of INTERPOL, Valdecy Urquiza, in Lyon, France, as Nigeria moves to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against crimes that increasingly cross national borders.
Disu, who was on his maiden official visit to the INTERPOL General Secretariat since assuming office as IGP, held discussions with Urquiza and senior officials of the global policing organisation on strengthening operational and technical cooperation between INTERPOL and the Nigeria Police Force.
The meeting focused on areas including cybercrime, counter-terrorism, financial crime, organised crime, fugitive tracking and intelligence sharing, with both sides exploring ways to improve Nigeria’s access to international policing tools and information.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to review Nigeria’s participation in INTERPOL-supported initiatives and identify further areas of cooperation that could strengthen criminal intelligence analysis and cross-border investigations.
A major part of the discussions centred on the effective use of INTERPOL databases and policing tools to support investigations, trace fugitives and disrupt criminal networks whose activities extend across different countries.
With criminal groups increasingly using technology and international networks to carry out their activities, stronger cooperation among law enforcement agencies has become central to efforts to track suspects and prevent them from exploiting national borders.
The meeting also explored opportunities for greater technical and operational collaboration to improve the Nigeria Police Force’s capacity to respond to transnational criminal activities and share intelligence with police authorities in other countries.
Disu was accompanied by AIG Olaolu Adegbite, Head, INTERPOL Nigeria and National Central Bureau, Abuja; AIG Ezima Akaninyene Ifem, Director, Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre; AIG Akoh Benedict Gabriel, Head, Nigeria Police Counter Terrorism Unit; and CP Ojajuni Olubode, INTERPOL Africa Committee Member.
The delegation brought together senior officers responsible for key areas directly connected to the discussions, including international police cooperation, cybercrime, counter-terrorism and intelligence coordination.
The Nigeria Police Force said it remains committed to strengthening its relationship with INTERPOL and other international law-enforcement partners while making greater use of intelligence, technology and global policing capabilities to tackle evolving security threats.
The Force also said stronger international cooperation would help prevent criminal networks from exploiting borders and jurisdictional gaps to evade law enforcement.
The Lyon meeting is expected to further deepen the working relationship between the Nigeria Police Force and INTERPOL and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to participate in international efforts against transnational crime.
