The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has expressed concern that the Nigeria Police Force’s proactive efforts in preventing crime rarely receive public acknowledgment, despite being a core part of policing.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Logistics and Supply, A.A. Hamza, at the first joint forensic conference and public presentation of the book Fraud Unmasked, authored by Dr Preal Ogbulu, Egbetokun said the public often judges the police based on crimes that occur rather than those successfully averted.
“For every crime that is prevented, a lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes,” he said. “Unfortunately, preventing crime is hardly seen as an achievement. It is only when crimes happen that the police are judged.”
Egbetokun noted that crime prevention remains cheaper and more effective than detection and prosecution, stressing that Section 4 of the Nigeria Police Act mandates the Force to prevent and detect crime.
He praised the author of the book for drawing attention to the vital role of forensic investigations in combating fraud and other crimes. According to him, forensic science supports prosecution and strengthens the criminal justice system.
“This book highlights the importance of science in policing. Digital forensics and fraud investigations should help us ensure perpetrators are brought to justice,” he added.
Egbetokun also acknowledged recent improvements in collaboration among security agencies, stating: “We have not had such effective inter-agency cooperation as we have now. Collaboration is key because no agency can do it alone.”
Earlier, author of Fraud Unmasked, Dr Preal Ogbulu, emphasised the urgent need to tackle fraud through partnerships and innovative strategies. “Fraud is not just a legal problem, it is a national crisis. This conference brings experts together so we can collaborate on how to effectively address this menace,” she said.
