The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Wednesday in Abuja received the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, as both agencies pledged stronger collaboration to combat financial crimes.
Bakari, who led a high-powered delegation to the Force Headquarters, said the visit was aimed at strengthening operational synergy, enhancing intelligence sharing, and institutionalising strategic cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force and the NFIU.
Members of the delegation included the Chief of Staff, Mohammed Ahmed; General Counsel, Felix Obiamalu; Chief Operating Officer, Law Enforcement Agencies, Emmanuel Sotande; Chief Operating Officer, Information Security Systems, Abdulrahman Mustapha; Special Adviser on Operations, Douglas Egwuemi; and Special Adviser on Administration, Mustapha Awaisu.
Speaking during the meeting, Bakari described the partnership between both agencies as critical to Nigeria’s national security framework, noting that the forthcoming 2027 Mutual Evaluation would assess how effectively the police utilises financial intelligence from the NFIU to tackle money laundering, terrorism financing and secure convictions.
She commended the IGP for approving a joint stock-taking exercise between the two institutions and called for deeper institutional collaboration, particularly in extending Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism awareness across police commands nationwide.
Bakari stressed the need for a shift from isolated successes to sustained institutional excellence, while also extending condolences to the police over officers who died in the line of duty.
In his response, Disu called for a stronger and more coordinated partnership between the police and the NFIU, emphasising the role of the Force’s specialised Anti-Money Laundering Unit and other operational divisions in tackling financial crimes, terrorism financing, banditry and transnational offences.
He noted that anti-money laundering investigations require high-level technical expertise and urged the NFIU to sustain capacity-building initiatives for police personnel.
The IGP also sought continuous access to actionable financial intelligence and modern investigative tools to enhance the quality of investigations and improve conviction rates.
The police boss reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to working with strategic partners to strengthen operational capacity, protect national integrity and boost public confidence in law enforcement.