The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Tuesday directed police officers nationwide to channel cases involving terrorism financing, banditry and other financial crimes to specialised units.

The top cop explained that this was part of efforts to strengthen intelligence-led policing and curb criminal activities.

He disclosed this at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

According to him, the directive was informed by the changing nature of crime, which increasingly relies on illicit financial transactions across borders.

The police chief stressed that closer collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the NFIU was essential to tackling terrorism, banditry, crude oil theft and other organised crimes.

Announcing the new directive, he said the Force had established a dedicated Proceeds of Crime Section to improve investigations into financial crimes and terrorism financing.

“We have directed all our officers to direct cases they discover that have to do with terror, banditry, and where monies have been circulated to teams that are specialised in handling it.

“The Force has established the Proceeds of Crime Section, and this is headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police with vast experience and expertise in financial crime to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing,” he said.

According to him, the unit has enhanced the Force’s role within Nigeria’s anti-money laundering framework.

“The establishment and operationalisation of the section have enhanced the visibility and relevance of the Force within the Nigerian anti-money laundering architecture,” he added.

Disu also appealed to the NFIU to provide more training opportunities for police personnel in financial intelligence and asset tracing.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Bakari, described the police as a critical partner in Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework.

She said financial intelligence had become indispensable in investigating terrorism financing, kidnapping, cybercrime, corruption, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, illegal mining, arms trafficking and organised crime. (Daily Trust)