POLICE AND NFIU SIGN NEW PACT TO FIGHT MONEY LAUNDERING AND TERROR FINANCING

Disu gave the assurance in Abuja while receiving the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Bakari, during a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting focused on strengthening operational synergy, enhancing information sharing and institutionalising strategic collaboration between both agencies.

Speaking at the meeting, the IGP said the nature of crime had evolved and law enforcement must adapt. “The dynamics of crime is changing daily everywhere in the world, and within seconds monies are moving over the continent,” Disu said. “Monies that have to be laundered, monies that a lot of people want to clean by different deceits. Financial intelligence is a necessity.”

To address this, the IGP announced two major steps. He directed all police commands nationwide to channel cases involving terrorism financing, banditry and other financial crimes to specialised units. He also disclosed that the Force had established a new Proceeds of Crime Section to improve investigations and asset recovery.

“We need to collaborate more and share intelligence because of the security situation we have in the country today — terrorism, banditry, and even in cases of theft of crude,” Disu said. “Following their proceeds will assist to bring down the crime to nothing less than 50 per cent. Following the money, a lot of their crimes will be solved, so we need to collaborate. We need to continue to see ourselves as symbiotic twins.”

The NFIU boss, Hafsat Bakari, described the partnership as critical to Nigeria’s national security architecture. She commended the IGP for approving a joint stock-taking exercise and called for deeper institutional cooperation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Mutual Evaluation.

“The forthcoming 2027 Mutual Evaluation will critically assess how effectively the Police utilises NFIU financial intelligence to dismantle money laundering networks, counter terrorism financing, and secure prosecutions in related financial crimes,” Bakari said.

Both agencies agreed to deepen data exchange and joint training in the coming months.