The Nigerian government is gearing up to implement the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) as part of its commitment to enhancing national and regional security. The Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, emphasised the transformative potential of WAPIS, which will enable law enforcement agencies to collaborate effectively and share vital information across borders, bolstering their efforts in combating organised crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and terrorism.
During a visit by a delegation comprising representatives from ECOWAS, the European Union, and INTERPOL, led by Zissimos Vergos, Head of Politics, Press, and Information Section European Union (ECOWAS/Nigeria), to the Ministry Headquarters in Abuja, Minister Gaidam highlighted the significance of this initiative.
Gaidam stated, “By implementing the WAPIS, we will enhance our capacity to collect, store, analyze, and share crucial law enforcement data across borders. This system will enable us to tackle the menace of organised crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and terrorism more effectively.”
He underscored Nigeria’s commitment to addressing transnational crime and terrorism, emphasizing the critical need for efficient and reliable information-sharing mechanisms.
The Minister affirmed that WAPIS would equip Nigerian law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools to identify and apprehend criminals who operate across national boundaries, ensuring that they face justice.
Moreover, Gaidam stressed that the WAPIS system would contribute significantly to creating a safer and more secure West Africa by fostering trust and cooperation among regional partners. It will facilitate the exchange of information, best practices, and expertise, allowing collective crime combat and citizen protection.
The ECOWAS Commission, the European Union, and INTERPOL have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to enhancing regional security and supporting Nigeria’s efforts in this crucial endeavor. Zissimos Vergos, who led the visiting delegation, explained the purpose of their visit, which included reviewing the specific objectives of the program and assessing the status of WAPIS development within Nigeria’s law enforcement landscape.
Vergos stressed the importance of improved coordination, dialogue among security agencies, and the exchange of information within the West African region.
Colonel Abdourahmane Dieng, Head of the Regional Security Division at the ECOWAS Commission, emphasized that WAPIS is an ECOWAS programme and highlighted the need for political support to advance the implementation process. He also identified issues in the program’s implementation in Nigeria and expressed the need for technical mission support to the Nigerian team.
