The ECOWAS Commission has called for closer cooperation among West African law enforcement agencies to counter the spate of organised transnational crimes in the sub-region.
A statement by the commission on Friday in Abuja said the call was made at the opening of 8th Annual Meeting of West Africa’s National Central Regional Bureaux of INTERPOL in Abidjan on Wednesday.
Mrs Salamatu Suleiman, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, emphasised that transnational organised crimes constituted a major menace to peace and security in the region.
Suleiman was represented by Col. Abdoulrahmane Dieng, Head of ECOWAS Regional Security Division.
The Commissioner noted that criminal activities such as human trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, cyber-crimes, counterfeiting, vehicle theft and smuggling, among others continued to exist in the region.
She further urged law enforcement agencies to be better coordinated using the West African National Central Regional Bureaux of INTERPOL, especially in information sharing and analysis.
She added that the creation of the West African Police Information System, targeting organised transnational crimes, should also boost intra-Community police anti-crime cooperation.
Gen. Bredou M’bia, Inspector General of Police, Cote d’Ivoire, who also spoke at the meeting, urged law enforcement agencies to redouble their efforts through specialised training in combating crimes in the region.
M’bia said the re-opening of the INTERPOL West Africa Regional Office in Abidjan would facilitate the sensitisation of law enforcement agencies and operatives on the need to ensure peace and stability in the sub-region.
Also, Mrs Salimata Sow, INTERPOL Representative, reaffirmed the willingness of the organisation to strengthen collaboration with the National Central Bureaux through the provision of adequate training and necessary equipment for effective crime fighting.
According to the statement, side-lines of the four-day meeting of security operatives in the West African would include the 13th Annual General Assembly of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO).
Others include and the meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Security Services and the 9th Meeting of the Forum of Ministers in charge of security in ECOWAS Member States.
The ministers are expected to consider the reports of the of the WAPCCO and CCSS meetings.
They are also expected to review the security situation in the sub-region and make recommendations for crime control and how to boost security in the region sub-region.
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