The International Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has promised to assist Nigeria in tackling insecurity currently facing the country.
Making the promise yesterday at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on a visit to the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Abubakar, the President of Interpol, Madam Mireille Ballestrezzi, said the international police community would provide information and data to expose any criminal element in and outside the country.
The Interpol boss said the organisation would exchange information among member countries, especially in the area of trans-border crimes and other criminal activities.
She said: “Nigeria is a greater contributor and support of interpol activities across the world. We will all rise up to fight crime in the country and other member countries.
“We will make available necessary data, provide information in the area of trans-border criminal activities.”
Although the interpol boss did not disclose more information towards fighting these crime, as well as the plan of her organisation towards the kidnap of French tourists, she insisted that the collaboration of member countries would fight criminal activities to a stand still in the countries.
Abubakar, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) ‘D’, Investigation, Peter Gana, in his remark solicited for more collaborations of member countries by providing information at all times towards the improvement of security in the country.
Ballestrezzi had earlier visited the Ministry of Police Affairs, where she promised timely and accurate exchange of information between the country and the organisation, which would be aimed at achieving effective law enforcement, especially among member countries.
Ballestrezzi said the organisation was greatly concerned about Nigeria’s security challenges, but assured the Minister of Police Affair, Navy Captain Caleb Onibolade, of interpol’s commitment to fight terrorism and the achievement of relative peace globally.
She commended Nigeria for her commitment to the ideals that informed the setting up of Interpol, which has led to her active participation in its activities.
Welcoming the delegation earlier, the Minister, commended Interpol on the successful hosting of the 81st Inter-ministerial meeting held in Rome in 2012 which according to him, recorded great achievements especially in the renewed war against international terrorism and cross-border crimes.
He welcomed the revitalised collaboration between Nigeria and the organisation which he said would impact positively on the security situation in the country.
He also called on Interpol to assist Nigeria in setting up a National Crime Database which will greatly improve policing in the country, while giving the assurance that Nigeria will continue to honour her obligations to the organisation.
In a related development, the minister also received officials of the Diplomatic Security Services from the United States Embassy in Nigeria led by the Regional Security Officer, John Bray.
Highlights of their discussion was the need to increase American assistance in the training of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force in the area of intelligence, especially with the recent inauguration of the Force Intelligence School at Enugu.