Police Affairs Minister Seeks Holistic Approach To Tackle Terrorism 

Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam has called for holistic and multifaceted approach among security agencies in order to address the challenges of terrorism.

Gaidam stated that implementing the international standard and good practice of sound, modern, integrated, and cooperative border management will go a long way in putting an end to this threat.

He stated this in Abuja during the stakeholders conference on security with a theme “A Path to Regional Cooperation” organised by the Ministry of Police Affairs in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force and National Central Bureau (NCB).

The minister urged all stakeholders present at the conference to work collaboratively towards a shared vision of security, noting that “We can overcome these challenges and emerge as a beacon of stability and progress in Africa if all hands are put on deck”.

Speaking further, the minister said that the objective of this conference is to deliberate on the way forward to achieving a stable regional security thereby focusing on strategies to strengthen collaboration among Interpol member countries in West Africa with a view to fostering partnerships to share intelligence, expertise and approaches for combating trans-border crimes.

In his goodwill message the chairman Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Salisu (rtd), represented by director, Police Discipline, Ferdinand Uchechukwu Ekpe said that no nation can afford to stand alone in the face of threats and insurgency, noting that a secure and peaceful Nigerian state is necessary for a secure and prosperous West Africa and the entire ECOWAS market area.

Also, the chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), represented by director intelligence, Kennedy Zirangey in his good will message stated that, the conference came at the right time where the nation is faced with insecurity such as terrorism, banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, community conflicts and myriads of other security challenges adding that all the catalyst behind these insecurity threats is drug usage by the foot soldiers perpetrating these crimes.

Earlier, the inspector-general of police, Kayode Adeolu, represented by deputy inspector-general, Logistics and Supplies DIG A. A. Hamzat, said that the convergence of illicit drugs, small arms, and light weapons in the hands of criminal elements continues to fuel organized crime and extremism.

He added that weak border enforcement mechanisms, fragmented intelligence sharing systems have all exacerbated crime in the country.