The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has called for stronger international cooperation to tackle rising security threats across Africa, particularly the link between cattle rustling, terrorism financing, and the spread of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) risks.
This was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Force spokesperson, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to the statement, presenting a paper at the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, the IGP warned that cattle rustling in West Africa has evolved from a local nuisance into a sophisticated criminal enterprise fueling terrorism, armed groups, and cross-border crime.
He highlighted the nexus between livestock theft and CBRNE dangers, including the spread of zoonotic diseases like anthrax and brucellosis, the use of smuggling routes for radiological trafficking, and the channeling of livestock theft proceeds into the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Egbetokun outlined six key response strategies: intelligence fusion, livestock market reforms, anti-money laundering frameworks, enhanced border cooperation, community partnerships, and improved CBRNE preparedness.
He urged African states and the global community to form a united front to secure the livestock trade, safeguard rural populations, and block extremist exploitation of regional vulnerabilities.
On the sidelines, the IGP held high-level meetings with INTERPOL President, Major General Dr. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, and Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza, focusing on strengthening border security, expanding access to policing databases, and boosting real-time intelligence exchange.
He also met with a Brazilian delegation led by De Souza Rinaldo and Dos Reis Guedes Ferreira Alvares Andrea, with both sides pledging deeper Nigeria–Brazil police cooperation in intelligence sharing, organized crime control, and CBRNE threat management.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s leadership role, Egbetokun stressed the country’s commitment to sharing best practices and collaborating with regional and global partners to strengthen peace, security, and resilience across Africa and beyond.
