IGP EGBETOKUN CALLS FOR GLOBAL COLLABORATION TO CURB CATTLE RUSTLING, CONTAIN CBRNE THREATS IN AFRICA

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has called for urgent international cooperation to address the escalating security challenges posed by cattle rustling and its dangerous convergence with terrorism financing, as well as the spread of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) threats across Africa.

Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, revealed that Egbetokun made the call while presenting a paper at the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference held in Cape Town, South Africa. “The transformation of cattle rustling in West Africa from a rural nuisance into a sophisticated criminal enterprise that fuels terrorism, armed groups, and cross-border criminal networks is a pressing concern,” Egbetokun said.

Egbetokun warned of the dangerous nexus between cattle rustling and CBRNE threats, including the spread of zoonotic diseases like anthrax and brucellosis, the exploitation of smuggling routes for trafficking radiological materials, and the use of proceeds from livestock theft to fund production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). He outlined six strategic pillars for response, including intelligence fusion, livestock market reforms, anti-money laundering frameworks, stronger border cooperation, community partnerships, and CBRNE preparedness.

The IGP concluded by calling for a continent-wide and global alliance to secure Africa’s livestock trade, protect rural populations, and block extremist exploitation of regional vulnerabilities. Egbetokun held strategic meetings with INTERPOL President, Major General Dr. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, and Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza, where discussions centered on strengthening border security and improving institutional capacity against terrorism financing.

Egbetokun also met with a Brazilian delegation led by De Souza Rinaldo and Dos Reis Guedes Ferreira Alvares Andrea, with both parties committing to deepen Nigeria–Brazil police cooperation through intelligence sharing and building capacity for CBRNE threat mitigation. “Nigeria remains committed to leading from the front, sharing best practices, and working collaboratively with its regional and international partners to ensure peace, security, and resilience in Africa and beyond,” Egbetokun reaffirmed.