Insecurity: IGP Disu calls for united West African front against transnational crime

Inspector-General of Police Calls for Regional Cooperation to Combat Crime

ABUJA—Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu has urged West African nations to adopt a unified strategy in addressing criminal activities that transcend national boundaries. His remarks came during the 11th Meeting of Heads of INTERPOL National Central Bureaus (NCBs) for West Africa, held on Monday in Abuja.

The meeting brought together leaders from NCBs across 16 West African countries, along with senior officials from the INTERPOL General Secretariat and regional security organizations, as reported by Daily Post.

Disu highlighted that transnational crime rings, including human traffickers, arms dealers, drug cartels, cybercriminals, money launderers, and extremist groups, operate without regard for borders. He stressed that the effectiveness of combating these threats relies not solely on the efforts of individual nations, but on the prompt and effective collaboration among all member states.

In addressing Nigeria’s contributions, Disu pointed to initiatives such as the expansion of INTERPOL’s I-24/7 secure communication network to border control points across the country. This development ensures that law enforcement officers at land crossings have real-time access to critical intelligence, matching that available to headquarters.

He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to Project GEMINI, aimed at the systematic uploading and verification of INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database. Additionally, he cited the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) as a successful example of regional data integration.

Looking ahead, Disu outlined Nigeria’s commitment to three key priorities: ensuring universal access to INTERPOL’s essential databases at West African border infrastructures, establishing mechanisms for quick coordination of joint actions, and fostering trust and transparency among NCBs to enhance information-sharing. He emphasized that without mutual trust, even the most sophisticated systems will fall short in addressing regional security challenges.

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