By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has emphasized that addressing the ch...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has emphasized that addressing the challenges of terrorism demands a holistic and multifaceted approach among security agencies.
He made this assertion during the Stakeholders Conference on Security, themed “A Path to Regional Cooperation,” organized by the Ministry of Police Affairs in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the National Central Bureau (NCB) at Rockview Hotels, Abuja.
Gaidam noted that adopting international standards and best practices in sound, modern, integrated, and cooperative border management is essential in combating terrorism. He urged all stakeholders present to work collaboratively towards a shared security vision.
"We can overcome these challenges and emerge as a beacon of stability and progress in Africa if all hands are on deck," he stated.
According to the Minister, the conference aimed to chart a course for achieving regional stability by focusing on strategies to enhance collaboration among INTERPOL member countries in West Africa. This includes fostering partnerships to share intelligence, expertise, and innovative approaches to combating trans-border crimes.
Highlighting efforts of the current administration, Gaidam said, “The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has made significant strides in curbing insurgency caused by Boko Haram, bandits, and other transnational threats. These measures include deploying biometric systems at border checkpoints, integrating data analytics into border security operations, and using surveillance drones along critical border areas.”
He, however, acknowledged that despite these efforts, the threat of terrorism has intensified. He cited the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, which ranked Nigeria as the sixth most impacted country globally.
Gaidam also outlined the government’s broader strategies for mitigating insecurity. These include military deployment, international cooperation, implementation of counter-terrorism legislation, adoption of the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) legal framework, provision of WAPIS terminals for real-time intelligence sharing, and the establishment of the National Criminal Data Fusion Center (NCDFC) under the Nigeria Police Force.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Salisu (Rtd), represented by the Director of Police Discipline, Ferdinand Uchechukwu Ekpe, stressed that no nation can confront threats and insurgency in isolation. He added that a secure and peaceful Nigeria is critical to the prosperity of the entire ECOWAS region.
Similarly, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by Director of Intelligence Kennedy Zirangey, noted that the conference was timely, considering the country's ongoing battles with terrorism, banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, and other forms of insecurity. He linked the prevalence of these crimes to drug abuse among the perpetrators.
Earlier, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Logistics and Supplies, DIG A. A. Hamzat, emphasized that the convergence of illicit drugs, small arms, and light weapons in the hands of criminal elements continues to fuel organized crime and violent extremism. He added that weak border enforcement and fragmented intelligence-sharing mechanisms further exacerbate the situation.
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