The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and key players in the banking sector have deepened collaboration aimed at strengthening financial security and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic stability.
This followed a high-level engagement hosted in Lagos by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in partnership with the Body of Banks’ Chief Executive Officers, where the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to protecting the nation’s financial system.
Speaking at the meeting, the IGP emphasized the critical link between financial security and national security, stressing that the resilience of banking operations remains central to investor confidence and Nigeria’s global credibility.
He noted that the threat landscape confronting the financial sector has evolved significantly, moving beyond conventional risks such as armed robbery attacks to more complex and sophisticated crimes. According to him, banks now grapple with cyber-enabled fraud, identity theft and compromise, insider collusion, and illicit financial flows, all of which require coordinated and intelligence-driven responses.
To counter these threats, Egbetokun disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force has intensified its intelligence-led policing strategy to protect critical financial infrastructure across the country. He cited recent operations that dismantled violent criminal networks, disrupted kidnapping syndicates, and led to the recovery of illegal arms, thereby creating a safer environment for business operations.
The IGP also referenced his recent strategic engagements with the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Abuja and the leadership of the Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX), described them as part of broader efforts to reinforce financial system integrity and boost investor protection.
In line with the provisions of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the Force is further enhancing the recruitment, training, and deployment of Supernumerary Police Officers (popularly known as Spy Police) to meet the specialized security demands of banks and other critical financial institutions.
Reaffirming the Police Force’s dedication to inter-agency and public-private collaboration, the IGP assured stakeholders of sustained partnership with the banking industry to safeguard the stability, integrity, and international reputation of Nigeria’s financial architecture.
The engagement underscored a shared resolve between law enforcement and financial sector leaders to proactively address emerging risks and ensure a secure, resilient banking environment capable of supporting Nigeria’s economic growth.
