Malik Yahya/
Heads of INTERPOL National Central Bureaus (NCBs) from across West Africa have paid a working visit to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja, describing the facility as a critical asset in the region’s growing battle against cybercrime and child exploitation.
The visit took place on the sidelines of the 11th Annual General Congress of Heads of INTERPOL NCBs in West Africa and highlighted renewed efforts to strengthen cross-border collaboration against cyber-enabled crimes.
Leading the delegation, Head of NCB Abuja, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Olaolu Adegbite, explained that the tour was designed to expose regional partners to the operational capabilities and technological tools deployed by the NPF-NCCC.
According to him, the Centre, which started as a unit within NCB Abuja, has evolved into a full-fledged national institution dedicated to combating cybercrime in Nigeria.
Adegbite urged the visiting INTERPOL chiefs to study the Centre’s equipment, operational strategies and technological infrastructure with a view to adopting useful lessons in their respective countries.
Welcoming the delegates on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, the Director of the NPF-NCCC, Commissioner of Police Akaninyene Ezima, described the Centre as a hub of “endless possibilities” and a leading force in Nigeria’s efforts to tackle cyber-enabled criminal activities.
Ezima expressed appreciation to the visiting delegates and congratulated INTERPOL member countries in the region on recent security successes achieved through enhanced cooperation and intelligence sharing.
The delegation was accompanied by Mrs. Paule Ouedraogo, Head of the INTERPOL Regional Bureau for West Africa based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Also speaking during the visit, Madam Chantal Apenaeki, Head of the INTERPOL Regional Bureau for Central Africa, praised the NPF-NCCC’s facilities and operational achievements.
She particularly commended the Nigeria Police Force for its efforts in child protection and the fight against child abuse, noting that granting NCB Abuja access to INTERPOL Headquarters’ child protection database would further enhance intelligence sharing and regional cooperation.
Responding, CP Ezima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to combating child exploitation, stressing that the issue remains a top priority for the Nigeria Police Force.
The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Centre’s facilities and a renewed commitment by participating countries to deepen collaboration in tackling cybercrime, protecting vulnerable populations and strengthening regional security across West Africa.
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