The Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, Kayode Egbetokun, has established Police Anti-Money Laundering Units as part of efforts to curb terrorism financing in Nigeria.
Egbetokun also appointed a financial expert, CP Hyacinth
Azuka Edozie, with officers of the rank of Chief Superintendents of Police,
CSPs, to lead the units in all State Criminal Investigation Departments, SCIDs,
across the country.
A statement by the Force spokesman, Adejobi Muyiwa, said the
unit would prevent and detect illicit financial activities that could undermine
Nigeria’s stability.
According to the statement: “This initiative is a strategic
move to strengthen the Police’s role in national security, specifically in
combating financial crimes. It is also critical in countering the sophisticated
methods used by terrorist organizations and other criminal entities to finance
their activities.
“The establishment underscores the Force’s commitment to
safeguarding national security by preventing and detecting illicit financial
activities that could undermine the country’s stability. It also enhances the
operational capacity of law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigerian
Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in furtherance of its global oversight
functions, to address various security threats.”
The statement said as a testament to the zeal to curb
financial crimes and boost national security, the police recently made
significant arrests in Kano and Nasarawa States.
On December 8, 2024, at Gwale, Kano, operatives, acting on
credible intelligence, police operatives apprehended one Nura Ibrahim and
discovered counterfeit currency, which included the sum of N129,542,823,000 in
counterfeit currencies, with a breakdown of 3,366,000 in Counterfeit US
Dollars, 51,970 in Counterfeit CFA franc, and 1,443,000 in counterfeit Naira.
The arrest led to further arrests of accomplices – Muhammed
Muntari and Usman Abdullahi.
Similarly, on January 13, 2025, the Force arrested
53-year-old Ephraim Barde in New Karu, Nasarawa State, with counterfeit US
dollar notes totalling $160,000. Following the arrest, further investigations
are underway to determine the full scope of Barde’s involvement and identify
any accomplices.
The statement said the Police Force is committed to
preventing further threats to the nation’s financial system.
According to the statement, the IGP said the Nigeria Police
Force remained resolute in its efforts to combat financial crimes and ensure a
secure economic environment with a view to promoting national security for the
safety of all Nigerians and residents. The establishment of the Anti-Money
Laundering Units is a vital step in this mission.
He also called on all citizens to play an active role in
national security by reporting suspicious activities related to counterfeit
currency and financial crimes.
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