The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has paid his maiden official visit to the INTERPOL General Secretariat in Lyon, France, as part of efforts to strengthen international police cooperation and enhance the Nigeria Police Force’s capacity to tackle transnational crimes.

The visit was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, which said the IGP met with the INTERPOL Secretary General, Mr Valdecy Urquiza, and other senior officials of the organisation.

According to the statement, discussions during the meeting centred on strengthening collaboration in key areas, including cybercrime, counter-terrorism, financial crimes, organised crime, fugitive tracking and intelligence sharing.

The engagement also focused on improving Nigeria’s use of INTERPOL databases and policing tools, while exploring additional opportunities for technical and operational cooperation.

The statement said the meeting further provided an opportunity to review Nigeria’s participation in INTERPOL-supported initiatives and strengthen criminal intelligence analysis, cross-border investigations and efforts to disrupt international criminal networks.

The IGP was accompanied by AIG Olaolu Adegbite, Head of INTERPOL Nigeria and the National Central Bureau, Abuja; AIG Ezima Akaninyene Ifem, Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre; AIG Akoh Benedict Gabriel, Head of the Nigeria Police Counter Terrorism Unit; and CP Ojajuni Olubode, an INTERPOL Africa Committee member.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to deepening cooperation with INTERPOL and other international law-enforcement agencies, particularly through the deployment of intelligence, technology and global policing capabilities to address emerging security threats.

The Force said such collaboration would also help to prevent criminal networks from exploiting international borders to facilitate their activities.