Much of the Nigeria Police Force’s work in preventing crime goes unnoticed by the public, even though it is one of its most critical responsibilities.

Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, says for every crime that is prevented, for every crime people do not see happen, a lot of efforts are put into it.

Egbetokun states that the Constitution and Section 4 of the Nigeria Police Act mandate the Nigeria Police Force to prevent and detect crime.

According to him, most importantly is preventing crime which is cheaper, it is faster, and it reduces victimisation to victims.

He notes that public assessment of the police often focuses on crimes that occur, overlooking the successes in prevention.

In his words, so for every crime the police prevent, they are not seen as doing anything, but when they are actually rated is when crimes that take place, even at that, they are given the responsibility as Nigeria Police Force to prevent, detect crime, and prosecute offenders.

Egbetokun said this at the first joint forensic conference and the public presentation of a book titled Fraud Unmasked, authored by Dr. Preal Ogbulu.

He spoke through the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Department of Logistics and Supply, A. A. Hamza, in Abuja.

Egbetokun commended the author for addressing issues of forensic investigation, which he said are essential in both preventing and prosecuting crimes.

He said the book aligns with the core mandate of the Nigeria Police Force and underlines the importance of partnerships in tackling crime.

On the value of forensics, the IGP noted that the book has said what forensic is for, saying it is a science that helps prosecution, and Digital forensic or forensic of fraud generally should aid prosecution.

Speaking at the event, Ogbulu said the conference and book presentation focused on strategies to address fraud in Nigeria.

The author said the conference and book presentation is on how to tackle fraud in the society, as Fraud is not just a legal problem but a national crisis, and it has robbed the country of opportunity and everything it stand for.

She noted that they have brought together experts from various organisations into one room so that they can further collaborate on how to tackle fraud.