By Crystal Ugoeze
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has intensified efforts to combat digital and financial crimes with the commencement of a three-day specialised training programme for detectives across key investigative units.
The training, which began on Monday, is aimed at equipping investigators with the skills required to detect and investigate emerging cybercrimes, digital trading fraud, and other financial offences that pose threats to national security. It is being conducted in partnership with a private financial services firm, HFM.
Participants were drawn from the Cybercrime Unit, Anti-Fraud Section, INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Anti-Money Laundering Units, Police Special Fraud Unit, forensic and intelligence departments, as well as state and zonal criminal investigation departments. Officers involved in counter-terrorism financing and ransom payment tracking are also taking part, underscoring the link between financial crimes and violent offences.
Speaking at the opening of the programme, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said strengthening investigative capacity in digital trading and forex-related crimes was critical to safeguarding national security.
Represented by the Commissioner of Police in charge of Training at Force Headquarters, CP Edwin Eloho, the IGP noted that financial crimes increasingly fuel terrorism, kidnapping, cyber fraud, banditry, and other forms of organised crime.
He explained that the rapid expansion of digital trading platforms, online forex markets, and cross-border financial transactions had created new avenues for fraud and illicit financial flows, making specialised investigative skills indispensable.
According to him, the training is designed to give officers a practical understanding of the digital financial ecosystem, legitimate trading practices, emerging fraud patterns, and investigative red flags, enabling them to distinguish lawful investment activities from criminal schemes.
Egbetokun described the programme as part of the NPF’s ongoing policing reforms, which prioritise manpower development and technological competence. He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to real-life cases and to share the expertise within their units to improve investigative outcomes and public confidence.
He also commended HF Markets Nigeria Limited for supporting the initiative, stressing that effective policing of modern financial systems requires strong public-private collaboration in line with global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards.
Earlier, HFM’s Managing Director, Ope Abiola, said the training was designed to bridge the gap between the fast-evolving financial markets and public understanding, which often complicates investigations.
He explained that the programme focuses on providing clarity on how digital trading systems work, distinguishing legitimate market losses from criminal deception, and defining the responsibilities of traders, brokers, and other market participants.