IGP Appoints Azuka Edozie To Head Newly Established Anti-Money Laundering Units

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has appointed financial expert CP Hyacinth Azuka Edozie to lead the newly formed Anti-Money Laundering Units of the Nigeria Police Force.

In a statement issued by Force spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Wednesday, it was revealed that Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) will oversee the units within State Criminal Investigation Departments (SCIDs) across the country.

The initiative aims to bolster the police’s role in combating financial crimes and enhancing national security. According to Adejobi, the Anti-Money Laundering Units will focus on countering the sophisticated methods used by terrorist organizations and criminal networks to fund their activities.

“This establishment reaffirms the Force’s commitment to preventing and detecting illicit financial activities that threaten the country’s stability. It also strengthens collaboration with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to tackle security threats effectively,” the statement read.

The statement detailed recent successes in combating financial crimes:

• Kano Arrest: On December 8, 2024, police operatives in Gwale, Kano, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended Nura Ibrahim and uncovered counterfeit currency totaling ₦129.54 billion. The seizure included counterfeit $3.37 million USD, 51,970 CFA francs, and ₦1.44 million Naira, leading to the arrest of accomplices Muhammed Muntari and Usman Abdullahi.
• Nasarawa Arrest: On January 13, 2025, 53-year-old Ephraim Barde was arrested in New Karu, Nasarawa State, with $160,000 in counterfeit U.S. dollars. Investigations are ongoing to uncover additional links and accomplices.

The IGP has urged Nigerians to support the fight against financial crimes by reporting suspicious activities. “The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in ensuring a secure financial system to promote national security,” the statement emphasized.

The establishment of these specialized units represents a critical step in protecting Nigeria’s economic stability and strengthening the nation’s law enforcement framework.