The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has pledged stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to strengthen the fight against financial crimes, money laundering and terrorism financing. In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on……
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has pledged stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to strengthen the fight against financial crimes, money laundering and terrorism financing.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on Wednesday, the Police said Disu made the commitment when he received the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hajia Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, on a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting focused on strengthening information-sharing mechanisms, improving operational synergy and institutionalising strategic cooperation between the two agencies.
Bakari was accompanied by the NFIU Chief of Staff, Mohammed Ahmed; General Counsel, Felix Obiamalu; Chief Operating Officer, Law Enforcement Agencies, Emmanuel Sotande; Chief Operating Officer, Information Security Systems, Abdulrahman Mustapha; Special Adviser on Operations, Douglas Egwuemi; and Special Adviser on Administration, Mustapha Awaisu.
Speaking during the visit, Bakari described the partnership between the NFIU and the Police as fundamental to Nigeria’s national security architecture.
She said the forthcoming 2027 Mutual Evaluation would assess the effectiveness of the Police in using financial intelligence generated by the NFIU to dismantle money laundering networks, tackle terrorism financing and secure convictions in related financial crime cases.
Bakari commended Disu for approving a joint stock-taking exercise between the two agencies and called for deeper institutional cooperation.
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She particularly advocated the expansion of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) awareness programmes to police commands and formations across the country.
The NFIU chief stressed the need for the agencies to move beyond isolated successes and build a system of “institutionalised excellence” in tackling financial crimes.
She also extended condolences to the Nigeria Police Force over officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and reaffirmed the NFIU’s continued support for the Force.
Responding, Disu called for what he described as a “truly symbiotic partnership” between the NPF and the NFIU, highlighting the importance of closer cooperation in investigating complex financial and transnational crimes.
He identified the Police’s specialised Anti-Money Laundering Unit, alongside other designated operational divisions, as critical to investigations involving financial crimes, terrorism financing, banditry and other complex offences.
Acknowledging that anti-money laundering investigations are highly technical, the IGP urged the NFIU to sustain advanced and continuous training for specialised police personnel.
He also requested continued access to actionable financial intelligence and modern investigative tools to improve the quality of investigations and strengthen the Police’s ability to secure convictions.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to working with strategic partners such as the NFIU to enhance operational capacity, safeguard national integrity and strengthen public confidence in law enforcement.
