In a bid to tackle terrorism in the West Africa region, the federal government of Nigeria has said it was ready to implement the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) in Nigeria.
This was revealed by the minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, when he played host to a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), European Union (EU) and International Police (INTERPOL), at headquarters of the Ministry of Police Affairs in Abuja.
Gaidam said, “This visit marks a significant milestone in our journey towards the implementation of the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) here in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Your presence here today is a testament to the importance and urgency that we all attach to enhancing regional security cooperation.”
He also added that: “The implementation of the WAPIS holds immense significance for the Nigerian Police and our great nation as a whole, as we stand at the forefront of addressing the complex challenges of transnational crime and terrorism, 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. 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. It will empower our law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools to identify and apprehend criminals who operate across national boundaries, ensuring that they face the full force of justice.
“Moreover, the WAPIS system will contribute to the creation of a safer and more secure West Africa as it will foster trust and cooperation among our regional partners, facilitating the exchange of information, best practices, and expertise.”
Speaking earlier, the director, Police Service INTERPOL headquarters, Bruno Samizano, said they were at the ministry to seek ways of implementing WAPIS in Nigeria.
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