The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has called for a united global effort to confront the rising security challenges posed by cattle rustling and the growing threats linked to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) materials across Africa.
Egbetokun made the appeal while addressing the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. He warned that cattle rustling, which was once a local menace, has now evolved into a sophisticated criminal enterprise with strong ties to terrorism, cross-border crimes, and illicit financing.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to championing collective security initiatives.
He stressed that Nigeria will continue to lead by example, share best practices, and work hand in hand with regional and international partners to guarantee peace, stability, and resilience across Africa and beyond.
The police chief explained that cattle rustling has become a major source of funding for armed groups and transnational criminal networks.
He expressed concern that proceeds from stolen livestock are increasingly used to finance the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), while smuggling routes have also been exploited for trafficking radioactive materials.
He further highlighted the dangers of zoonotic diseases such as anthrax and brucellosis spreading through livestock theft, thereby compounding health and security risks.
To confront this complex threat, Egbetokun outlined a six-pillar strategy anchored on intelligence sharing, reforms in livestock markets, stronger anti-money laundering measures, improved border cooperation, community engagement, and a robust preparedness framework against CBRNE threats.
He maintained that only through a continent-wide and global alliance can Africa safeguard its livestock trade, protect vulnerable rural populations, and shut down the economic pipelines that extremists continue to exploit.
On the sidelines of the conference, Egbetokun held high-level strategic meetings with key international partners. He met with INTERPOL President, Major General Dr. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, and Secretary-General Valdecy Urquiza, where discussions focused on strengthening border security, expanding access to global policing databases, and improving real-time intelligence exchange.
He also met with a Brazilian delegation to explore deeper cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil, particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing and capacity building for CBRNE threat mitigation.
