Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has directed police formations across the country to refer cases involving terrorism, banditry and crude oil theft to specialised units dedicated to tracking illicit financial flows.
The directive marks a strategic shift in the Nigeria Police Force’s crime-fighting approach, with greater emphasis on tracing the financial networks that sustain organised criminal activities.
Disu issued the directive on Tuesday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja during a working visit by the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hafsat Bakari.
According to the IGP, following the money behind criminal enterprises remains one of the most effective ways to dismantle organised crime, noting that tracking illicit financial transactions could help solve at least half of complex criminal cases nationwide.
“The dynamics of crime are changing daily across the world. Within seconds, money moves across continents through sophisticated laundering schemes,” Disu said.
“It has to do with following monies, especially monies linked to one crime or another. Following their proceeds will assist in bringing down crime by nothing less than 50 per cent. By following the money, many of these crimes will be solved.”
Police Create Special Proceeds of Crime Unit
To strengthen financial crime investigations, the IGP announced the establishment of a dedicated Proceeds of Crime Section, headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police with expertise in financial investigations.
He said the unit would reinforce Nigeria’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) frameworks while improving the Police Force’s contribution to global efforts against financial crimes.
Disu also assured the NFIU of improved collaboration between both agencies through intelligence sharing, coordinated investigations and specialised training programmes for police officers.
“Financial intelligence is now a necessity. We need stronger collaboration and intelligence sharing because of the country’s current security challenges,” he said.
The police chief also commended the NFIU leadership for recognising the sacrifices of officers who have lost their lives or sustained injuries in the line of duty, describing the gesture as a morale booster.
NFIU Commends Police Over FATF Milestone
Earlier, NFIU Chief Executive Hafsat Bakari praised the Nigeria Police Force for its contribution to Nigeria’s successful implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan, which paved the way for the country’s removal from the global financial watchdog’s grey list.
She described the police as a critical institution in investigating, prosecuting and disrupting the financial structures behind organised crime.
“Whether the predicate offence is terrorism, kidnapping, cybercrime, human trafficking, narcotics, corruption or illegal mining, financial intelligence has increasingly become the thread that connects criminal conduct to those who profit from it,” she said.
“Following the money often reveals the network, the facilitators, the beneficiaries and the command structures behind criminal enterprises.”
Bakari noted that the FATF’s third-round mutual evaluation scheduled for 2027 would assess the practical effectiveness of law enforcement and intelligence agencies in combating financial crimes, beyond existing legal frameworks.
She added that a recent nationwide assessment identified the need to institutionalise financial intelligence, strengthen risk-based investigations and improve asset tracing and confiscation procedures.
Bakari reaffirmed the NFIU’s commitment to supporting the police through intelligence sharing, capacity building, operational coordination and access to the global network of 186 Financial Intelligence Units under the Egmont Group.
Troops Dismantle Illegal Bunkering Site in Lagos
Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 65 Battalion have dismantled a suspected illegal oil bunkering site in the Orile area of Lagos State and arrested six suspects.
The operation, led by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel S. Adeojo, followed credible intelligence on illegal petroleum activities in the area.
According to the Army, the troops recovered four trucks, a pumping machine, assorted pipes and several drums believed to have been used in the illegal operation.
The suspects and all recovered exhibits have been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Commending the troops, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, urged personnel to sustain the crackdown on economic sabotage and other criminal activities within the division’s operational area.
