Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police has called for stronger international cooperation to combat transnational criminal networks that are increasingly using artificial intelligence and cyber platforms to evade justice.
IGP Olatunji Disu appealed to the Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2026), held at the UN Headquarters in New York between July 7 and July 8.
The high-level summit brought together police chiefs, interior ministers, and senior law enforcement representatives from around the globe to discuss how national police forces can better collaborate with United Nations policing operations.
Addressing world police chiefs, Mr. Disu warned that modern criminal syndicates are rapidly evolving, exploiting artificial intelligence and encrypted communications to operate across international borders with unprecedented sophistication. He noted that these advancements are actively challenging traditional policing models.
While acknowledging that technology offers powerful tools for law enforcement—including digital forensics and geospatial intelligence—the Nigerian police chief stressed that innovation must not come at the expense of civil liberties.
He emphasized that public trust remains the foundation of effective policing, arguing that new technologies must reinforce transparency, accountability, and a strict respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Mr Disu also advocated for fairer access to digital policing capabilities, urging technologically advanced nations to share capacity and training with developing member states so that no country is left behind in the fight against cybercrime.
The Nigerian Force Headquarters stated that its participation in the New York summit underscores the country’s ongoing commitment to UN peacekeeping missions and collective global efforts to dismantle transnational crime and terrorism.
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