The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has declared that criminals will have nowhere to hide as the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) strengthen collaboration to disrupt illicit financial networks supporting terrorism, banditry and other organised crimes.
The IGP made the declaration during a courtesy visit by the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, and her delegation to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Disu said the changing dynamics of crime require stronger cooperation among law enforcement institutions, stressing that tracking criminal proceeds remains a key strategy in dismantling organised criminal networks.
He noted that criminals now move illicit funds through sophisticated channels within seconds across borders, making financial intelligence an essential tool in modern policing.
“Financial intelligence is a necessity. We need to collaborate more and share intelligence. Following the money, a lot of their crimes will be solved,” the IGP said.
The police chief disclosed that the Force has established a Proceeds of Crime Section, headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police with vast experience in financial crime investigations, to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing efforts.
He added that officers have been directed to refer cases involving terrorism, banditry and suspicious financial transactions to specialised teams for proper investigation and prosecution.
Earlier, the NFIU Chief Executive Officer, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, described the partnership between the agency and the Nigeria Police Force as crucial to Nigeria’s national security, economic stability and compliance with global anti-money laundering standards.
Bakari said financial intelligence has become a critical link in identifying and disrupting the financial structures behind terrorism financing, kidnapping, cybercrime, corruption, human trafficking, illegal mining and other organised criminal activities.
“Financial intelligence has increasingly become the thread that connects criminals to those who profit from crime,” she said.
She commended the Nigeria Police Force for its support during Nigeria’s international anti-money laundering assessment, noting that the collaboration between both institutions has contributed significantly to strengthening the country’s financial crime prevention efforts.
The NFIU boss further pledged continued cooperation through intelligence sharing, specialised training and capacity development to enhance the ability of security agencies to detect, investigate and disrupt illicit financial activities.
