Systemic corruption affecting war against terrorism in Nigeria —IGP Idris 

Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has blamed systemic corruption in the country for the inability of both the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to bring to a halt the destructive and murderous activities of terrorists. IGP Idris spoke in Bali, the Indonesian capital, at the 85th General Assembly of Interpol where he headed a panel to discuss transnational, organised crime.

Emphasising the challenges posed by systemic corruption and its negative effects in the fight against transnational, organised crime, the IGP particularly pointed out how endemic corruption had had considerable negative effect on the war against terrorism in Nigeria. He, however, cited the commendable strides the current administration is making in Nigeria to wage a comprehensive war against corruption and improve the quality of lives of Nigerians.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Donald Awunah; the Force Public Relations Officer, who represented the IGP, noted that the Interpol General Assembly discussed the disturbing trend of cybercrime, corruption, drug related offences, terrorism, foreign terrorist fighters, FTF, and explored ways to check the funding of terrorism. Awunah said: “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, such as the Immigration, Economic and Financial Crimes 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.”