By DEBORAH AKPEDE

The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Lagos state, says it has strengthened its capacity to tackle cryptocurrency-related crimes through specialised international trainings of its officers.

The FCID’s spokesperson, ASP Aminat Mayegun, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

She said that the training held on Wednesday, was organised in collaboration with the United States Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) through the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.

Mayegun said the specialised training programme focused on cryptocurrency tracing, analysis and investigation for officers of the FCID department.

“The training at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) Lagos Annex, featured practical sessions on cryptocurrency tracing, blockchain analysis, and investigation of crypto-related crimes.

“A seven-member team from the U.S. Consulate facilitated the training, with officers drawn from various sections of the FCID Annex participating,” she said.

The spokesperson said that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the FCID Annex, Mr Simeon Akpanudom, represented by Officer-in-Charge of the NPF-NCCC Annex, SP Smart Abubakar, had commended the U.S. Consulate, for its continued support.

“Akpanudom noted that the partnership had enhanced capacity of the police to tackle evolving cyber threats and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to leverage international collaboration and advanced trainings,” he said

He said the Initiative underscored the readiness of the FCID Annex to address sophisticated cyber-enabled crimes and to improve operational effectiveness. (NAN)