The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has called for urgent international collaboration to tackle the twin security threats of cattle rustling and the proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) risks across Africa.
He made this call while delivering a paper at the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said the IGP raised alarm over the rapid evolution of cattle rustling in West Africa from a rural menace into a sophisticated transnational enterprise that now fuels terrorism, armed groups, and cross-border criminal networks.
“The IGP warned of the dangerous nexus between cattle rustling and CBRNE threats, where proceeds from livestock theft are being used to fund terrorism and the production of improvised explosive devices.
He also highlighted risks such as the trafficking of radiological materials along smuggling routes, and the spread of zoonotic diseases like anthrax and brucellosis, which pose grave dangers to rural communities,” Adejobi said.
According to the statement, the IGP outlined six strategic response pillars: intelligence fusion, livestock market reforms, anti-money laundering frameworks, stronger border cooperation, community partnerships, and CBRNE preparedness.
He stressed that only a continent-wide and global alliance could safeguard Africa’s livestock trade, protect vulnerable populations, and block extremist exploitation of regional weaknesses.
On the sidelines of the conference, Egbetokun held talks with INTERPOL President, Major General Dr. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, and Secretary General, Valdecy Urquiza, where discussions focused on border security, intelligence sharing, and expanding access to global policing databases.
He also met with a Brazilian delegation led by De Souza Rinaldo and Dos Reis Guedes Ferreira Alvares Andrea, with both sides committing to deepen Nigeria–Brazil cooperation against organized crime and CBRNE-related threats.
“The Inspector-General reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leading from the front, sharing best practices, and strengthening regional and international policing partnerships to ensure peace, security, and resilience in Africa and beyond,” Adejobi added.
