The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has called for stronger regional collaboration among West African nations to combat transnational organised crime, emphasising intelligence sharing and coordinated law enforcement efforts.
Disu made the call while presiding over the 11th Meeting of Heads of INTERPOL National Central Bureaus (NCBs) for West Africa held in Abuja.
The meeting brought together representatives from 16 West African countries, INTERPOL officials and regional security organisations.
He said criminal networks continue to exploit weak borders and regional gaps to operate across countries without restriction.
According to him, “Human trafficking syndicates, arms dealers, drug networks, cyber fraudsters, money launderers, terrorist financiers, and violent extremist groups all share one defining characteristic: they operate without regard for national borders.”
Disu said no single country can fight these threats alone, stressing the need for stronger partnerships and faster intelligence exchange among member states.
He explained that Nigeria is already strengthening cooperation through INTERPOL systems, including expanded use of the I-24/7 secure communications network at border points.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to Project GEMINI and the continuous update of INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database.
Disu highlighted the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) as a key tool for regional data sharing and security coordination.
He listed priorities for regional cooperation to include faster access to INTERPOL databases at border points, quicker joint operations, and stronger trust among national bureaus.
He warned that even advanced security systems cannot succeed without trust and cooperation among agencies.
The INTERPOL delegation commended Nigeria for hosting the meeting and praised the attendance of all 16 national bureaus as a sign of commitment to regional security.
Participants were urged to move beyond discussions and focus on practical steps that produce measurable results in the fight against crime.
The meeting reaffirmed Nigeria’s central role in West African security cooperation and the importance of collective action against transnational crime.
Olatunji Disu
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