Nigeria Partners ECOWAS To Fight Terrorism,Trans-border Crimes

Nigeria Partners ECOWAS To Fight Terrorism,Trans-border Crimes

The Federal Government has assured that it would continue to collaborate with ECOWAS-member States by creating an enabling environment for the establishment of the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) in Nigeria to combat trans-border crimes.

          Hon. Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) gave the assurance today when he received a delegation from the West African Police Information System, led by the Executive Director, Interpol Police Services, Mr. Tim Morris, in his Office in Abuja.

          According to him, with the emerging security challenges facing the country and the region, especially terrorism and cross border crimes, the place of partnership in tackling the menace frontally can never be over-emphasized.

          This he said, “would provide an opportunity for sharing of data, improvement of communication system among member States and other strategic partners like the European Union (EU) in the fight against the threats”.

          Gen. Dambazau further said that Nigeria alone covers about 60 percent of the region’s population and as a result, always witnesses an influx of people in and out of its borders, necessitating such collaboration between it and other ECOWAS-member States.

          He described the project as not only ambitious but extremely important, adding that with the funding being given by the European Union (EU) and the support of ECOWAS, the challenge of drug and human trafficking as well as global terrorism, among others, will soon be reduced to its barest minimum.

          Earlier, the leader of the team, Mr. Tim Morris, explained that the project aims at creating a WAPIS, developed by the Economic Community of
West African States, (ECOWAS), to check the globally organized crime and terrorism affecting the region.

          He said that this is occasioned by the security gaps at national, regional and international levels that have contributed to West Africa being seen as a hub of crimes.

Mrs. Grace Njoku

For: Ag. D (Press and Public Relationns)