By Akinrinade Olaoluwa Israel (SIWES student,Efon Alaaye Poly)
The President of the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, has revealed that Nigeria and several West African countries have played a pivotal role in the retrieval of more than €2 million associated with various organized crime syndicates operating worldwide.
Details: Al-Raisi made this announcement during the 4th edition of the Conference and Retreat of Senior Police Officers held in Owerri, Imo state, on Monday.
The INTERPOL operation, named Operation Jackal, occurred between May 15 and May 29, 2023, and involved the collaboration of police forces, financial crime units, and cybercrime agencies from 21 countries globally.
This operation was aimed at delivering a targeted blow against organizations like the Black Axe and other West African-based organized crime groups.
Al-Raisi stated, Operation Jackal, which took place in May of this year, targeted West African-based organized crime groups, including the Black Axe, resulting in the recovery of over 2 million Euros.
Additionally, during the operation, more than 200 bank accounts linked to the illegal proceeds of cyber financial crime were frozen, and numerous key figures within these criminal networks were arrested. These networks were deemed a significant global security threat.
Highlighting Nigeria’s strategic importance, Al-Raisi pointed out that the country’s geographic location has made it an attractive hub for criminal syndicates seeking to expand their activities, often using Nigeria as a launching point to reach other continents.
Furthermore, in their efforts to combat criminal activities across the continent, INTERPOL, with the support of Nigeria, has successfully neutralized human smuggling rings in West Africa and rescued hundreds of migrants, leading to over 1,009 arrests worldwide.
