By Hassan Zaggi
The Minister of Police Affairs, Sen. Ibrahim Gaidam, has advocated for the establishment of what he described as formidable network that transcends borders which will enable countries in the West African region to collectively combat crime, hence, protect the lives of residents of the region.
He stated this when a delegation from ECOWAS, European Union, and INTERPOL led by the Head of Politics, Press and Information Section European Union (ECOWAS/Nigeria), Zissimos Vergos, visited him in Abuja.
“Together, we can establish a formidable network that transcends borders, allowing us to combat crime collectively and protect the well-being of our citizens. West African Police Information System (WAPIS) in Nigeria would not have been possible without the steadfast support and collaboration of our esteemed partners.
“The ECOWAS Commission, the European Union, and INTERPOL have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to fostering regional security and supporting Nigeria’s efforts in this critical endeavor,” he said.
The Minister noted that the performance of the WAPIS programme holds immense significance for the Nigerian Police and the nation at large.
According to him, Nigeria is at the forefront of addressing the complex challenges of transnational crime and terrorism and the need for efficient and reliable information-sharing mechanisms cannot be overstated.
“The WAPIS system presents us with a unique opportunity to strengthen our law enforcement efforts and foster collaboration among West African countries.
“This visit marks a significant milestone in our journey towards implementing the WAPIS here in Nigeria.
“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 organized crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and terrorism more effectively”.
The Minister expressed optimism that the WAPIS system will contribute to the creation of a safer and more secure West Africa; foster trust and cooperation among regional partners; facilitating the exchange of information, best practices and expertise.
Earlier, the Head of Politics, Press and Information Section European Union (ECOWAS/Nigeria) Zissimos Vergos, who led the delegation said the purpose of the visit was to review the specific objective of the program and examine the status regarding the development of WAPIS mechanism within Nigeria law enforcement landscape.
He reiterated that there is the need for better coordination and dialogue among the security agencies and exchange of information within the West Africa region.
