- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Police Force has announced the establishment of Anit-Money Laundering Units in said effort to combat financial crimes.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to the statement, the unit was established by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, with renowned financial expert, CP Hyacinth Azuka Edozie, appointed to lead the unit alongside other officers of the rank of Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs).
Adejobi stated that the establishment of the units underscored the Force’s commitment to safeguarding national security by preventing and detecting illicit financial activities that could undermine the country’s stability.
He further described the initiative as strategic move to strengthen the Police’s role in national security, specifically in combating financial crimes
The statement read in part; “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has established the Police Anti-Money Laundering Units of the Nigeria Police Force, appointing, a renowned financial expert, CP Hyacinth Azuka Edozie with officers of the rank of Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) to lead the units in all State Criminal Investigation Departments (SCIDs) across the country.
“This initiative is a strategic move to strengthen the Police’s role in national security, specifically in combating financial crimes. It is also critical in countering the sophisticated methods used by terrorist organizations and other criminal entities to finance their activities.
“The establishment underscores the Force’s commitment to safeguarding national security by preventing and detecting illicit financial activities that could undermine the country’s stability.
“It also enhances the operational capacity of law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in furtherance of its global oversight functions, to address various security threats.”