The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has called for urgent international cooperation to tackle the growing security threats posed by cattle rustling, terrorism financing, and the spread of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) dangers across Africa.
Speaking at the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, the IGP raised concerns over how cattle rustling in West Africa has evolved from a rural challenge into a sophisticated criminal enterprise that now fuels terrorism, armed groups, and cross-border crime networks. He warned of the dangerous convergence between cattle rustling and CBRNE threats, citing risks such as the spread of zoonotic diseases like anthrax and brucellosis, smuggling routes exploited for radiological trafficking, and the use of livestock theft proceeds to finance improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Egbetokun outlined six strategic pillars to address the crisis, including intelligence fusion, livestock market reforms, anti-money laundering frameworks, stronger border cooperation, community partnerships, and enhanced CBRNE preparedness. He urged African nations and global partners to forge a united alliance to secure livestock trade, protect rural communities, and block extremist groups from exploiting regional vulnerabilities.
On the sidelines of the conference, the IGP held high-level meetings with INTERPOL President, Major General Dr. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, and Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza, where discussions focused on strengthening border security, expanding access to global policing databases, and enhancing institutional capacity against terrorism financing.
He also met with a Brazilian delegation led by De Souza Rinaldo and Dos Reis Guedes Ferreira Alvares Andrea. Both parties committed to deepen Nigeria–Brazil police cooperation through intelligence sharing, combating organized crime, and building resilience against CBRNE threats.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s leadership role in regional and global security, IGP Egbetokun stressed that the country remains committed to sharing best practices and working collaboratively with partners to ensure peace, safety, and resilience across Africa and beyond.
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