… IGP Egbetokun Advocates Stronger Regional Cooperation Against Transnational Crime

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, is representing Nigeria at the 13th AFRIPOL Steering Committee Meeting in Algiers, where African police chiefs are deliberating on pressing security challenges. The two-day summit, which commenced on July 7, focuses on enhancing continental cooperation against transnational organized crime, terrorism and other cross-border security threats.

As both Nigeria’s top police officer and Chairperson of the West African Police Chiefs Committee, IGP Egbetokun emphasized the need for unified action during his address to delegates. “The complex nature of modern criminal networks demands that we transcend national boundaries in our response,” he stated. “Through coordinated intelligence sharing and joint operations, we can more effectively combat these threats.”

The meeting brings together security leaders from across Africa, including Algeria’s Director-General of National Security Ali Badaoui and representatives from regional police organizations. Discussions center on evaluating current crime trends, reviewing counter-terrorism strategies, and implementing institutional reforms within AFRIPOL. Particular attention is being given to the deployment of the AFSECOM secure communication platform to enhance information exchange.

Nigeria’s participation reaffirms its commitment to regional security initiatives, building on its experience combating terrorism in the Northeast and addressing kidnapping and banditry nationwide. The IGP highlighted Nigeria’s willingness to share its expertise while learning from other nations’ approaches. Security analysts observe that such high-level engagements are crucial for developing harmonized responses to crimes that increasingly exploit weak cross-border coordination.

The outcomes of the summit are expected to shape operational strategies for African Union member states, with Nigeria positioned to play a leading role in implementing decisions within West Africa. The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its dedication to AFRIPOL’s mission of strengthening continental security architecture through collaborative approaches.