Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has met with the Secretary-General of the International Criminal Police Organisation, INTERPOL, Valdecy Urquiza, in Lyon, France, as Nigeria seeks stronger international cooperation against transnational crime.
The meeting took place during Disu’s maiden official visit as Inspector-General of Police to the INTERPOL General Secretariat in Lyon.
Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force and INTERPOL in areas including cybercrime, counter-terrorism, financial crime, organised crime and fugitive tracking.
The two sides also examined intelligence sharing and the effective use of INTERPOL databases and policing tools to support investigations.
Disu Seeks Stronger International Police Cooperation
The meeting is part of efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to improve its capacity to tackle criminal activities that operate across national borders.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the engagement provided an opportunity to review Nigeria’s participation in INTERPOL-supported initiatives.
It also opened discussions on additional areas of technical and operational cooperation.
These include criminal intelligence analysis, cross-border investigations and efforts to disrupt transnational criminal networks.
The development is significant because many crimes confronting Nigeria increasingly have international dimensions.
Criminal networks involved in cybercrime, human trafficking, drug trafficking, financial fraud, terrorism and kidnapping can operate across several jurisdictions.
Such cases often require law enforcement agencies in different countries to share information and coordinate investigations.
Cybercrime and Financial Crime Among Key Areas
Cybercrime was one of the major areas discussed during the meeting.
Nigeria remains a significant participant in international efforts against cyber-enabled criminal networks, particularly those involved in online fraud and financial crimes.
International cooperation allows law enforcement agencies to exchange intelligence and identify suspects who may move between jurisdictions.
INTERPOL’s global network also provides mechanisms for police forces to communicate and access relevant criminal information.
The Nigeria Police Force said the meeting would help strengthen the use of these international policing capabilities.
Financial crime was another area highlighted during the discussions.
Cross-border financial investigations can require cooperation between police authorities, financial intelligence institutions and other enforcement agencies.
Improved information sharing can therefore help investigators trace suspects, financial transactions and criminal networks operating across multiple countries.
Fugitive Tracking Also on the Agenda
The meeting also addressed fugitive tracking.
Suspects involved in serious crimes may attempt to evade arrest by leaving the country where an offence occurred.
INTERPOL cooperation allows national police authorities to share information and use international policing mechanisms to locate wanted individuals.
Nigeria’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja serves as the country’s main link with the organisation’s international network.
INTERPOL says its Nigerian bureau supports international investigations, criminal intelligence sharing, access to global databases and participation in INTERPOL-led operations.
This makes cooperation between the NPF and INTERPOL particularly important for cases involving suspects who cross Nigeria’s borders.
Nigeria Faces Multiple Forms of Transnational Crime
Nigeria’s geographical position also creates significant security challenges.
INTERPOL identifies terrorism and violent extremism, cybercrime and financial fraud, drug trafficking, human trafficking, environmental crime, arms proliferation, maritime piracy and kidnapping among the transnational threats affecting Nigeria.
Nigeria shares land borders with Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, while its coastline provides access to the Gulf of Guinea.
These connections make cooperation with neighbouring countries and international law enforcement agencies important for investigations that extend beyond Nigeria.
The country’s large population and extensive regional economic connections also make it a significant hub for legitimate cross-border movement and trade.
Criminal groups can exploit the same networks and infrastructure.
Senior Police Officers Accompanied Disu
Disu was accompanied to the INTERPOL General Secretariat by senior officers with responsibilities directly connected to the areas discussed.
They included AIG Olaolu Adegbite, Head of INTERPOL Nigeria and the National Central Bureau in Abuja.
Also on the delegation were AIG Ezima Akaninyene Ifem, Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, and AIG Akoh Benedict Gabriel, Head of the Nigeria Police Counter-Terrorism Unit.
CP Ojajuni Olubode, an INTERPOL Africa Committee member, was also part of the delegation.
Their participation reflects the broad scope of the discussions, covering cybercrime, terrorism, intelligence and international police cooperation.
Focus on Intelligence and Technology
A central issue emerging from the meeting is the role of intelligence and technology in modern policing.
Criminal organisations increasingly use digital platforms, encrypted communications, financial technology and international movement to facilitate their activities.
Police authorities therefore need timely access to information beyond their national jurisdictions.
The NPF said the discussions with INTERPOL explored ways to strengthen criminal intelligence analysis and cross-border investigations.
The objective is to make it harder for criminal networks to exploit jurisdictional boundaries.
For Nigeria, improved access to international policing tools could support investigations involving suspects, victims, financial transactions or criminal evidence located outside the country.
Nigeria’s Recent INTERPOL Cooperation
The meeting also builds on existing cooperation between Nigeria and INTERPOL.
In April 2026, INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Abuja helped track and arrest a fugitive in Ogun State who was subsequently repatriated to China to face prosecution.
The Nigeria Police Force said the operation followed intelligence and sustained surveillance and was conducted through bilateral police cooperation arrangements.
The case demonstrates how international police cooperation can extend beyond information exchange to operational action.
It also highlights the role of the INTERPOL network in helping countries locate suspects who cross international borders.
What the Meeting Means for Nigeria
The discussions in Lyon come as Nigeria continues to confront criminal activities with increasingly international links.
Strengthening cooperation with INTERPOL could give Nigerian investigators greater access to international intelligence, policing databases and partner agencies.
However, the effectiveness of such cooperation will ultimately depend on how effectively information is converted into investigations, arrests, prosecutions and disruption of criminal networks.
International police cooperation cannot replace domestic policing capacity.
It must work alongside effective investigations, border management, financial intelligence, prosecution and judicial processes.
Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Global Police Cooperation
The Nigeria Police Force said it remains committed to strengthening cooperation with INTERPOL and other international law-enforcement partners.
The force also said it would continue leveraging intelligence, technology and global policing capabilities to address evolving security threats.
For Disu, the Lyon meeting provides an opportunity to strengthen the international dimension of Nigeria’s policing strategy.
As criminal networks increasingly operate across borders, cooperation between national police forces and international organisations such as INTERPOL is becoming an important component of efforts to track suspects, share intelligence and disrupt organised crime.
The immediate test will be how the areas discussed in France translate into stronger operational cooperation and more effective cross-border investigations for Nigeria.
