Nigeria and other West African countries have been praised by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) for their crucial role in recovering over €2 million from various organized crime groups worldwide.

The commendation was given by Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, the President of INTERPOL, at the 4th edition of the Conference and Retreat of Senior Police Officers held in Owerri, Imo state, on Monday.

The recovery was part of “Operation Jackal,” an INTERPOL-led crackdown from May 15 to May 29, 2023. The operation involved collaborating police forces, financial crime units, and cybercrime agencies from 21 countries, targeting the Black Axe and similar West African organized crime groups.

Al-Raisi said, “Operation Jackal, which took place in May of this year, tackled West African-based organized crime groups like Black Axe to recover over 2 million Euros.”

The operation also resulted in the blocking of more than 200 bank accounts linked to the illicit proceeds of online financial crimes. Several high-ranking criminals, whose networks posed a significant global security threat, were arrested during the operation.

Al-Raisi highlighted Nigeria’s strategic importance in the activities of these criminal syndicates. He said, “Nigeria’s geostrategic location has attracted organized criminal groups who often smuggle illicit goods, using Nigeria as a stepping stone to reach other continents.”

He also acknowledged Nigeria’s vital role in disrupting criminal operations across the continent. As a result of the operation, human smuggling rings in West Africa were neutralized, leading to the rescue of hundreds of migrants and over 1,009 arrests worldwide.

INTERPOL’s proactive approach to curbing organized crime underscores the critical partnership with Nigeria and West African nations in maintaining global security and combating transnational criminal networks.

The Nigerian government has committed to working with INTERPOL and other international partners to fight against organized crime and terrorism. The Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, said that Nigeria would support INTERPOL’s initiatives and programs to enhance regional and global cooperation.

Nigeria is one of the founding members of INTERPOL and hosts its regional bureau for West Africa. The country has also contributed to several INTERPOL operations and projects, such as Operation Epervier II, which targeted human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Africa.

Various international organizations and agencies have recognized Nigeria’s efforts to combat organized crime. In 2023, Nigeria ranked 10th out of 54 African countries in the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which measures security, rule of law, human rights, and transparency.

Nigeria also improved its position in the Global Peace Index, which ranks countries according to their level of peacefulness. Nigeria moved up by four places to 142nd out of 163 countries in 2023, showing decreased violence and instability.

Nigeria’s progress in tackling organized crime is a testament to its resilience and determination to create a safer and more prosperous future for its people and the world.

Source: Businessday NG