The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun and the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama, have called for a stronger, institutionalised partnership between the Commission and the Nigerian Police Force to combat the rising menace of investment fraud, Ponzi schemes and cryptocurrency-related scams across the country.
The duo made the call today when the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun received the Director -General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama and SEC’s executive management on a courtesy visit at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
While welcoming the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission and his delegation on behalf of the Force Management Team, senior police officers, the Inspector ageneral of Police described the visit as a positive way to begin the year, noting that it was the first official courtesy visit to the Nigeria Police Force in 2026.
The IGP congratulated the SEC on the landmark achievement of reaching ₦100 trillion in capital market capitalisation, describing it as a major milestone for the Nigerian economy.
He assured the SEC of the Police Force’s readiness to deepen collaboration, particularly through the strengthening of the police enforcement unit attached to the Commission.
According to him, effective enforcement would boost investor confidence, stabilise the capital market, promote a culture of compliance and ultimately contribute to national economic growth. The IGP said the visit marked the beginning of a renewed and stronger partnership between the Nigerian Police Force and the SEC in safeguarding investors and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery.
Earlier in his remarks, the SEC boss described financial fraud as not just an economic crime but a serious social threat that destroys livelihoods, erodes public confidence and undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system. He noted that fraudsters increasingly exploit the language of cryptocurrency and foreign exchange trading to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians with promises of unrealistic returns.
According to him, the SEC, as the apex capital market regulator, is mandated to protect investors, ensure fair and transparent markets, and promote economic growth, but faces limitations when fraudulent activities occur outside the regulated space.
“Where we identify regulatory breaches and illegal schemes, the Nigerian Police Force has the constitutional authority, investigative capacity and nationwide reach to track, arrest and prosecute offenders,” Dr Agama said.
He stressed that the renewed collaboration has become even more critical following the recent milestone in which Nigeria’s capital market crossed ₦100 trillion in market capitalisation, an achievement that has encouraged broader public participation in the market.
Dr Agama proposed the creation of a Joint Intelligence and Operations Task Force between the SEC and the Police, combining market intelligence, forensic accounting expertise and law enforcement capabilities to serve as a rapid-response mechanism against emerging scams.
He also announced plans to deepen capacity building through specialised training for police officers on capital market operations, Ponzi schemes and crypto-asset fraud, noting that informed officers would be better equipped to tackle increasingly sophisticated financial crimes.
The SEC Director-General further called for streamlined enforcement procedures, including fast-track referral of serious fraud cases to the Police for immediate criminal action, as well as a joint national public awareness campaign using both SEC platforms and police communication channels.
“The fight against financial crime is a fight for the soul of our economy,” he said. “Together, the SEC and the Nigerian Police Force can form an impenetrable shield to protect Nigerian investors.”
Dr Agama expressed confidence in the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, describing him as a seasoned professional with strong academic and practical credentials, and assured Nigerians that the renewed partnership would significantly deter financial criminals and strengthen investor confidence in the nation’s capital market.
The visit, he said, marked the beginning of a renewed commitment in 2026 to safeguard investors’ savings and build a transparent, trusted and inclusive financial system for Nigeria.
