Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, is spearheading high-level discussions on transnational crime and regional police cooperation at the 13th AFRIPOL Steering Committee Meeting in Algiers, Algeria.
The two-day summit, which runs from July 7 to 8, has gathered top African Police Chiefs, senior law enforcement officers, and key security stakeholders across the continent to discuss emerging threats such as terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, and organized criminal networks.
IGP Egbetokun, who is attending in his capacity as both Nigeria’s Chief of Police and Chairperson of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO), reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leading regional security initiatives and promoting cross-border collaboration to combat escalating security challenges.
Key discussions at the meeting include an in-depth review of the current state of Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) in Africa, updates on the deployment of the AFSECOM communication system, and strategic presentations on AFRIPOL’s Counter-Terrorism and TOC frameworks. The summit also highlights AFRIPOL’s reform initiatives, including engagement with AU policy organs and preparations for the 14th Steering Committee Meeting and 5th General Assembly.
In his address, IGP Egbetokun stressed the importance of inter-agency coordination, intelligence sharing, and the adoption of modern technology to effectively dismantle criminal syndicates operating across borders.
“The fight against transnational crime cannot be won in isolation,” the IGP said. “It requires a unified purpose, strategic cooperation, and coordinated action among all African law enforcement bodies.”
He further emphasized the need for legal harmonization, enhanced training for police officers, and strengthened regional interoperability to tackle a wide spectrum of threats, including cybercrime, human trafficking, and terrorist financing.
Present at the session are the Director-General of National Security in Algeria, Ali Badaoui, representatives from the Central African Police Chiefs Committee (CAPCCO), Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO), and other continental police bodies.
The Nigeria Police Force, under IGP Egbetokun’s leadership, reaffirmed its dedication to AFRIPOL’s mission of promoting a safer Africa. The Force will continue to support multilateral efforts aimed at ensuring peace, law, and order across the continent.
