By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam has pointed out that addressing the challenge of terrorism requires a holistic and multifaceted approach among the security agencies
He stated this during the Stakeholders Conference on Security with a theme “A Path to Regional Cooperation” organized by the Ministry of Police Affairs in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force and National Central Bureau (NCB) at the Rockview Hotels, Abuja.
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 urged all stakeholders present at the conference to work collaboratively towards a shared vision of security. “We can overcome these challenges and emerge as a beacon of stability and progress in Africa if all hands are put on deck.” Gaidam stressed.
The Minister opined 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 words, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is pertinent to state that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, has worked immensely to curb the insurgency caused by Boko Haram, Bandits and other transnational crimes.
“Some of these measures include biometric system at border checkpoint, integration of data analytics into border security operations and deployment of surveillance drones along critical border regions.”
Gaidam, observed that despite Government’s efforts to end the menace of terrorism and violent extremism in the country, the threat posed by terrorism has risen significantly adding that Nigeria was ranked 6th most impacted country globally according to the 2024 Global Terrorism Index.
The Deputy Director (Information and Public Relations, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, in a statement said, he enumerated Government to mitigating insecurity which include deploying the military, cooperating with international partners, implementing counter-terrorism legislation; adoption of a legal framework related to the West African Police Information System (WAPIS), provision of (WAPIS) terminals to allow security agencies access to critical information and Establishment of National Criminal Data Fusion Center (NCDFC) for the Nigerian Police Force.
In his goodwill message the Chairman Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Salisu (RTD) represented by Director Police Discipline, Mr. Ferdinand Uchechukwu Ekpe, stated 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, Mr. Kennedy Zirangey, in his good will message states 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 (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, 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, adding that weak border enforcement mechanisms. Fragmented intelligence sharing systems exacerbate the situation.
