Police Launch Vigilant App, MTN CUG Network To Strengthen Fraud Response

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has launched a new digital platform for reporting suspected financial fraud and a dedicated communication network for its personnel in a move aimed at improving fraud response and operational coordination.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, launched the NPF Vigilant App and the NPF–MTN Closed User Group (CUG) Network on Tuesday at the NPF Conference Centre, Jabi, Abuja.

The two initiatives are designed to strengthen public engagement, facilitate faster reporting of financial fraud and improve secure communication among police personnel nationwide.

The Vigilant App was developed by the Force ICT Department in collaboration with stakeholders in the financial services sector. It allows members of the public to report suspected financial fraud, upload supporting evidence, monitor the progress of their cases and receive feedback.

The platform is also expected to facilitate better coordination between the police and relevant financial institutions in handling reported cases, subject to existing laws and procedures.

The NPF–MTN CUG Network, on the other hand, provides police personnel with a dedicated and affordable on-net communication platform. The Force said the network would improve communication between commands and units, particularly during emergencies and operations.

Speaking at the launch, Disu described the initiatives as practical components of the police digital transformation programme.

He said the Vigilant App would improve the Force’s engagement with citizens, while the CUG network would strengthen internal communication and operational efficiency.

The IGP stressed that technology should serve as an enabler of professional policing and must be deployed within the bounds of the law.

He said the use of digital tools must also take into account citizens’ rights, privacy, data protection and accountability.

Disu further reaffirmed the commitment of the police to working with government institutions and private-sector organisations to improve public safety and national security.

The event attracted representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion, Police Service Commission, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), financial institutions, fintech companies, MTN Nigeria, Vigilant Technology Limited, TIMPH International Limited and other stakeholders.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Information and Communication Technology, DIG Fayoade Adegoke Mustapha, said the initiatives reflected the Force’s determination to deploy technology to improve policing services and strengthen its relationship with the public.

He urged Nigerians to download the Vigilant App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and use it responsibly when reporting suspected financial fraud.

The Force said the new platforms were part of broader efforts to make policing more accessible, responsive and technology-driven.

It also expressed appreciation to the CBN, Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion, NIBSS, financial institutions, fintech companies, MTN Nigeria and the other partners involved in the development and launch of the initiatives.

The police maintained that sustained collaboration with technology companies and other stakeholders would remain central to its efforts to improve service delivery and strengthen national security.