The Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Nigeria, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, NPM, joined forces with key INTERPOL officials in a strategic meeting today in France to bolster international cooperation against transnational organized crime in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
In a significant gathering convened by INTERPOL, the world’s leading international police organization, IGP Egbetokun engaged in critical discussions alongside prominent figures including Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, the President of INTERPOL, to forge viable partnerships aimed at combating the escalating threat of transnational crime.
The meeting, which featured INTERPOL’s Secretary General Dr. Jurgen Stock and Executive Director of Police Services Mr. Stephen Kavenaugh, highlighted the urgent need for collaborative action to tackle criminal networks operating across borders. Also in attendance were Vice President of INTERPOL for Africa, AIG Garba Baba Umar (Rtd.), and AIG Stanley Ude (AIG INTERPOL Abuja).
Central to the discussions was the utilization of INTERPOL’s expansive resources to confront the multifaceted challenges posed by transnational organized crime, particularly within Nigeria and the broader West African region. IGP Egbetokun, in his capacity as Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO), stressed the imperative of joint efforts in addressing cross-border security threats.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to harnessing our strengths and collaborating with international partners to combat all forms of organized crime,” affirmed IGP Egbetokun during the meeting. He emphasized the significance of leveraging advanced e-policing capabilities to dismantle criminal networks operating both within Nigeria and beyond its borders.
The discussions underscored a unified resolve to bolster intelligence sharing and operational coordination among law enforcement agencies across the region. With the escalating challenges posed by transnational crime, this collaborative approach signals a concerted effort to strengthen security measures and protect communities from the far-reaching impacts of organized criminal activities.
The outcome of these deliberations sets a promising trajectory for enhanced international cooperation in the fight against transnational crime, reflecting a shared commitment to safeguarding the safety and security of nations within West Africa and beyond.