West African INTERPOL Chiefs Meet in Abuja to

Strengthen Crime-Fighting Cooperation

Heads of INTERPOL National Central Bureaus from 16 West African countries have converged on Abuja for the 11th Meeting of Heads of NCBs, with a call for stronger regional cooperation against transnational crime. The meeting was hosted by Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the Nigerian Inspector-General of Police, who urged participating countries to work together in tackling cross-border criminal activities.

The meeting highlighted the growing threats posed by human trafficking, arms smuggling, and cybercrime across the region. IGP Disu described the threats as a major issue, citing human trafficking, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, cybercrime, money laundering, terrorism financing, and violent extremism, which require coordinated action among law enforcement agencies.

According to IGP Disu, Nigeria has taken several steps to strengthen security cooperation, including expanding access to INTERPOL's I-24/7 secure communications network at border points and law enforcement institutions across the country. He also reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to Project GEMINI, which focuses on the verification and uploading of records to INTERPOL's Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database.

Representatives of the INTERPOL General Secretariat and regional security organisations also attended the meeting. A leader of the INTERPOL delegation praised Nigeria for hosting the event and described the full participation of all 16 NCB heads as a demonstration of the region's commitment to collective security. Participants were encouraged to focus on practical commitments aimed at preventing and disrupting criminal activities before they occur.

The meeting underscores ongoing efforts to strengthen regional security cooperation and enhance coordinated responses to transnational crime across West Africa.

### Why Nigeria Is Renewing Its Efforts for Regional Cooperation

Nigeria has been taking steps to strengthen security cooperation with its West African neighbours over the past few years. One such initiative is the West African Police Information System (WAPIS), which has been successful in data integration and cooperation among member states. IGP Disu identified three priority areas for Nigeria: expanding access to INTERPOL databases across West Africa's border architecture, improving rapid-response coordination among member states, and strengthening trust and transparency among NCBs to facilitate effective information sharing.

### West African INTERPOL Chiefs Move Forward

The meeting marks a significant step towards strengthening regional cooperation among West African countries. Participants were encouraged to focus on practical commitments aimed at preventing and disrupting criminal activities before they occur. As part of this effort, Nigeria has committed to expanding access to INTERPOL's I-24/7 secure communications network at border points and law enforcement institutions across the country.

### Key Facts:

  • 16 West African countries participated in the 11th Meeting of Heads of NCBs.
  • The meeting was hosted by Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the Nigerian Inspector-General of Police.
  • Nigeria has taken steps to strengthen security cooperation by expanding access to INTERPOL's I-24/7 secure communications network at border points and law enforcement institutions.
  • Project GEMINI focuses on the verification and uploading of records to INTERPOL's Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database.
  • The West African Police Information System (WAPIS) has been successful in data integration and cooperation among member states.