Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim K. Idris has emphasised the challenges posed by systemic corruption and its negative effects in the fight against transnational organised crime, pointing out the negative effects of endemic corruption on the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

Idris who spoke at the 85th Interpol General Assembly held in Bali, Indonesia from 7th to 10th November, also sighted the commendable strides the current administration is making in Nigeria to wage a comprehensive fight against corruption and improve the quality of lives of Nigerians.

The IGP, who is an International Police Reforms Resource Person, headed a panel at the meeting, which discussed transnational organised crime. His attendance was part of the concerted efforts to ensure that Nigeria is an integral part of global policing system.

Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Don N. Awunah, disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday morning that the meeting is usually held once in a year by 190 countries, Interpol member nations and attended by Ministers of Security, Chiefs of Police and law enforcement agencies. The IGP was accompanied to this year’s General Assembly by the Comptroller General of Immigration, Alhaji Mohammed Babandede, the Commissioner of Police Interpol, CP Subair Olusola, the director General, NDLEA, Alhaji Abdallah and the Interpol System Consultant, Chikwe Udensi.

The theme of this year’s meeting was ‘Setting a Global Roadmap for International Policing!’ The issues of international security and how to extensively curb transnational organised crime were discussed. Also discussed were the disturbing trend of cybercrime, corruption, drug related offences, terrorism, foreign terrorist fighter (FTF) and exploring ways to check the funding of terrorism.

In all Interpol member countries, there is the National Centre Bureau (NCB) which is the arm of Interpol in every member country. The tool used by the National Centre Bureau in connecting the Interpol Headquarters is the i-24/7. The i-24/7 is the National Data Base for wanted persons, stolen vehicles, arms, artefacts and missing persons etc.

The i-24/7 is expected to be connected to key law enforcement agencies in Nigeria like Immigration, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Airports, Seaports and all international borders. However, currently the connectivity is restricted to the Police. The IGP had a strategic meeting with the high command of the Interpol and discussed the general applicability of i-24/7 in Nigeria which will soon take off.

The IGP further had a crucial meeting with chiefs of Police in West Africa which resolved to revive the West African Police chiefs Committee (WAPCCO). To this end, Nigeria will set up WAPCCO secretariat in the country and host the next general meeting of WAPCCO.

At the end of the three days 85th Interpol General Assembly, the Chinese Deputy Minister of Security was elected the president of Interpol following the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent president.

The next Interpol General Assembly will hold in Beijing, China next year.

•Photo shows IGP Ibrahim Idris.

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