IGP Orders Terror Financing Cases Sent To Special Police Unit

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed officers across the country to send terrorism financing, banditry and other financial-crime cases to specialised police teams.

The directive was announced at the Force Headquarters in Abuja during a meeting with leaders of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit. Disu said the pattern of crime now involves fast-moving financial transactions, making financial intelligence central to investigations.

The police chief said the Force has set up a Proceeds of Crime Section to improve investigations into illicit funds, terrorism financing and related offences. Cases involving money linked to terror, banditry and organised crime are to be routed to teams trained to handle that work.

The meeting also covered closer cooperation between the police and the NFIU on terrorism, banditry, crude oil theft and other organised crimes. The police leadership said stronger intelligence sharing would help investigators trace criminal funds and build better cases.

The directive comes as security agencies face pressure to target not only armed groups, but also the financial networks that support them. The new unit is expected to focus on proceeds of crime and suspicious money flows linked to serious offences.

Sources: Daily Trust, Punch